Anganwaris serving rubbish to kids: Maneka

Seema Kaul

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 5

Citing an instance of an anganwari in Himachal Pradesh serving ‘pakoras’ to children instead of a nutritious meal, WCD Minister Maneka Gandhi has said the food at anganwaris is “a disaster” and that “children are just being fed rubbish”. She said she was working on identifying nutritious food mixes which can be served to children at ICDS centres.

“I have been from state to state, tasting the food in anganwaris, and it has been painful,” the Women and Child Development Minister said. She has been visiting anganwari centres across India for the past few months. She visited some centres without giving them much advance notice of her arrival and was horrified with the quality of food being served. At some places, food was not even being cooked, empty gas cylinders were kept for show, she said.

As part of a complete overhaul and reform of ICDS centres across India, the minister said she wanted to introduce nutritious food packs in anganwaris which could be heated up before it is served to the children. The food mix, which will be without preservatives, can be brought and stored at anganwari centres a few days before it is to be served.

“It is not possible to do anything in Rs 6 anymore. We have asked for an increase of Rs 2. Once we find something within the price line, we will give it to the states for the ICDS,” she said. The ministry has sought an increase — from Rs 6 to Rs 8 — in the allocation of money per child per ICDS meal.