When there is a provision for universalisation of the Integrated Child Development Services in the country, why is Bihar giving benefits only to selected children?
All eligible children are to be covered under the ICDS through anganwadis. We have a target to cover 100 per cent children. We have been sanctioned one anganwadi per ward. Though earlier the numbers were less, we now have over one lakh anganwadis; a few more are under construction. We are taking all steps for proper implementation.
But, we were told that there is a department order to give benefits to only fixed number of children and pregnant or lactating women.
There is no such order. All those who are eligible are to be covered. Provide me with details of the place where you found the lacuna and I will get it checked.
Malnutrition has been found to be a common factor in the Acute Encephalitis Syndrome deaths. ICDS targets malnutrition, but its poor implementation has proved fatal. What do you plan to do about it?
We have initiated a joint inquiry with other departments, especially health, in five blocks of the worst-hit Muzaffarpur district to find out where we went wrong. The anganwadis had a mandate to create awareness for prevention of AES. We want to find out whether there was some negligence by our department and whether ground workers took due interest in the task. The inquiry report would be out soon.
Bihar has the highest number of stunted and underweight children in the country, indicating high malnutrition. How will you tackle the same?
The very mandate of our department (ICDS directorate) is to combat malnutrition and reduce stunting. We are taking all possible steps for that. Anganwadi workers are conducting counselling sessions for parents. There is no dearth of funds, too.
Yet, do you think a special plan could be chalked out given the poor indices?
Our department is providing livelihood options to women’s ‘jivika’ groups (under National Rural Livelihood Mission) and ensuring pension for all those over 60 years who do not take benefit of other schemes. This will strengthen the families economically and help the children too.
In most of the states, women and child development is a separate department with a separate minister, but not so in Bihar. Do you think the focus gets wavered?
There is no problem with the focus. We have separate officials for different sections. My focus is on every front. Bihar has probably the most number of special schemes for women like the Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan scheme. We will be doing our best.