Integrated Child Development Scheme's funds enhanced by 11.7%

Multi-sectoral programme to combat maternal, child malnutrition to be scaled up

The Women and Child Development ministry's Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) has been allocated Rs 17,700 crore in the Budget for the year 2013-14, which is an 11.7% increase over the fund alloted in the previous year.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram today also commended the ICDS for being able to spend the entire amount of Rs 15,850 crore provided in 2012-13.

By allocating an increased amount for the scheme, the Finance minister underlined that the focus will continue to be on early childhood care and education.

Chidambaram said the maternal and child malnutrition in a country with abundant foodgrains is a shame that must be overcomed.

A multi-sectoral programme to combat this problem that was announced last year will also be implemented in 100 districts during 2013-14 with an allocation of Rs 300 crore and it will be scaled up to cover 200 districts the year after.