Under POSHAN Abhiyaan, as on 31st March, 2022, an amount of Rs. 5,40,295.40 lakh has been allocated to States/UTs since the launch of the scheme in 2018, out of which, Rs. 3,57,277.66 lakh has been utilised.
Regular reports are received from States regarding progress of fund utilization under POSHAN Abhiyaan. Delays if any, are monitored through sustained engagements with State Governments in review meetings to ensure that targets are achieved and funds are utilized. A major plank of Poshan Abhiyan is Behaviour Change Communication through Jan Andolan activities. Due to Covid pandemic, States/ UTs were unable to fully utilise funds as the Jan Andolan activities were affected. States/UTs are advised to utilise the funds allocated under various components of POSHAN Abhiyaan as per the cost norms for effective implementation of the scheme. Any un-utilized fund / excess expenditure incurred during a particular year under POSHAN Abhiyaan is adjusted in the allocation/release of the succeeding year.
Guidelines for Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 have been issued vide which costing has been earmarked under various components of the Abhiyan. Procurement of Smartphones and Growth Monitoring Devices, such as Infantometer, Stadiometer, Weighing Scale etc., are key components under the Abhiyaan, wherein, fund utilization can be maximized. In this regard, fresh guidelines have also been issued in January 2023 giving revised technical specifications for procurement of Growth Monitoring Devices by the States. Further, States are encouraged to undertake innovative measures to address the challenge of malnutrition, and in this regard, best practices emerging from States/UTs are disseminated. Incentives are also earmarked for Anganwadi Workers undertaking 80% targeted growth measurements and 60% targeted home visits every month. These are monitored through the ICT application, Poshan Tracker, which captures the data of key services delivered across the country.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Lok Sabha.
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SS/RKM