WCD trying to rope in Nasscom for nutrition scheme

The Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) is planning to rope in Nasscom for further improving its 'Poshan Abhiyaan' nutrition scheme, an official said here on Friday.

"We have made the draft and sent it to NASSCOM for their recommendation. With Nasscom joining the scheme, all the IT firms who are associated with us will come under one platform," Rakesh Srivastava, Secretary, WCD told IANS.

"'Poshan Abhiyaan' is a major project for beating malnutrition and we call IT firms to come forward and join its initiative," he added.

For the proper implementation of the scheme, the ministry has collaborated with many IT firms who are helping in developing different software.

Earlier this week, the ministry said they have also adopted Integrated Child Development Services-Common Application Software (ICDS-CAS) to track proper functioning of anganwadi workers.

Last month, the government also took a loan of $200-million from World Bank for implementing the scheme which will cover all the 315 districts across all states and union territories

The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan.

A team has been formed on 'Poshan Abhiyaan', an apex body primarily consisting of WCD ministry, health ministry, drinking water and sanitation ministry, Niti Aayog to formulate overall policies, guide and monitor all nutrition-based schemes, which will submit its report to the government every six months.

--IANS

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