Centre mulling to run ICDS in mission mode: Tirath

Addressing reporters at a press conference here, Women and Child Development Minister Tirath said several changes have been made in the ICDS and it would have a budget of Rs 1.23 lakh crore.

"We will have a mission mode strategy and we will roll out this scheme in a phased manner," Tirath said. She said while her ministry had demanded Rs 1.80 lakh crore, an amount of Rs 1.23 lakh crore has been sanctioned.

"We have taken some major restructuring steps in the programme. First, we have increased the monthly amount paid to anganwadi workers from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000. Secondly, we will be hiring 27,000 anganwadi workers for technical support," Tirath said.

Tirath said the amount given for supplementary nutrition to women and children would also be raised. She said the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had given approval to these changes which would strengthen the scheme.

"We have also raised the rental amount paid for running anganwadis from Rs 200 to 750 in rural areas, Rs 750 to Rs 3,000 in urban and raised it to Rs 5,000 in metropolitan areas," she said.

In the coming Five Year Plan, around 9 per cent of the scheme funds would be kept as 'flexi' funds which could be utilised to address special local requirements and issues raised by states.

Tirath also said special focus would now be given to the construction of buildings anganwadis to ensure that certain amenities are present at all centres. (More)