Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in India is the world’s largest integrated early childhood programme and Odisha has around 71,000 sanctioned centres which provide the services throughout the State.
ICDS was launched in 1975 with the following objectives:
- Improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age-group 0-6 years.
- Lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child.
- Reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity a malnutrition.
- Achieve effective coordination of policy and implementation amongst the various departments to promote child development.
- Enhance the capability of the mother/care giver to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education.
ICDS Beneficiaries and Services
To achieve the above objectives, a package of six integrated services is provided in a comprehensive manner to meet the multi-dimensional and interrelated needs of the children. The Anganwadi Centre forms the focal point for the delivery of these services.
| Services | Target Group | Service Provided by |
|---|---|---|
| Supplementary Nutrition | Children below 6 years and Pregnant & Lactating Women |
(AWW) |
| Immunization | Children below 6 years and Pregnant Women (PW) | ANM/MO |
| Health Checkup | Children below 6 years and Pregnant & Lactating Women |
ANM/MO/AWW |
| Referral Services | Children below 6 years and Pregnant & Lactating Women |
AWW/ANM/MO |
| Pre-School Education | Children 3-6 years | AWW |
| Nutrition & Health Education | Adolescent Girls & Women (15-45 years) | AWW/ANM/ASHA |
Supplementary Nutrition (under the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme) Rules, 2015 under NFSA, 2013
National Food Security Act (NFSA) was promulgated by the Government of India vide Gazette Notification dated 10.09.2013. In view of this, Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP), which is one of six services under ICDS has been made as an entitlement under the NFSA. Sections 4,5,6 & 7 of the NFSA pertain to ICDS and IGMSY schemes of the Ministry. As per clause 22 (3) of the said Act, the Central Government shall provide food grains in respect of the entitlements, under Section 4,5 & 6 to the State Governments, at prices specified in Schedule I of the Act.
Section 39 of the NFSA provides that the Central Government may in consultation with the State Governments and by notification make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act. Accordingly, the Supplementary Nutrition (under the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme) Rules, 2015 were notified in the Gazette of India on 01.06.2015 in consultation with State Governments and other stake holders.