NEW DELHI: The Centre will not offer money to beneficiaries in place of take-home rations provided at anganwadis as proposed earlier, state Governments have been told.
The Government’s think-tank NITI Aayog in its national nutrition strategy had recommended initiating pilot schemes in a few districts to test if cash transfers could replace the provision of take-home rations and supplementary nutrition as part of its Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) to plug leakages.
Under the ICDS, the Government provides food, pre-school education and primary health care at anganwadi centres.
As part of the Government scheme, a child between six months and three years of age, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers till six months after delivery, get take-home rations. Children in the 3-6 year age group get hot-cooked meals.
The Centre’s stand on the issue was clarified after Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Rajive Kumar sought permission from the Government to start conditional cash transfers. (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
