The government is planning to merge the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) programme with other flagship progarmmes like Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), Mid Day Meal (MDM) and National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), which deliver similar benefits. The merger is on the cards despite objections from HRD minister Arjun Singh.
Singh is opposed to the merger of ICDS with SSA and MDM schemes because the HRD ministry thinks that such a move would result in a dilution of funds.
The Planning Commission has also worked out a considerable increase in the funds for the ICDS programme in the 11th Plan. The programme is likely to get Rs 48,387 crore in 2006-07 prices, which is 3 times more than the actual expenditure in the 10th Plan.
The Commission has also restructured the ICDS to ?universalise? the programme as per the directions of the Supreme Court. The new ICDS would be more focused as well as comprehensive in its functions. It will cover all children from birth till 6 years of age and focus on specific needs of each age group.
The new proposal, which has been presented to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, also includes the proposal for decentralisation of funds. The funds will now go directly to village- level health nutrition and sanitation societies, which will converge the NRHM with ICDS. Meals for children in the age group of 3 to 6 years will also be provided under the ICDS.
To meet the need for universalising the programme, an angawadi worker will be available on demand whereby an eligible community that wants an angawadi can get funds to run a new anganwadi.
Furthermore, the restructured ICDS would have maternity benefits of Rs 1,000 per month for BPL women. Given the budget constraints, this programme will be limited to 268 nutritionally challenged districts.
For the existing 10.5 lakh anganwadis and the 1.5 lakh new ones, which will be set up under universalisation, the allocation for food for children between the age of 6 months and 3 years will be increased from Rs two to Rs 2.70 a day to address nutritional deficit.
The Commission is hopeful of persuading the ministry of women and child development and the health ministry of the merits of the new approach and the need to ensure convergence on the ground.