The decision for reopening or not opening Anganwadi centres is taken by the State Govt on the direction of the State Disaster Management Authority.

Functioning of Anganwadi Centres during Covid-19 circumstances was permitted as per guidelines issued by Government on 15.04.2020 for distribution of food items and nutrition support by Anganwadi Workers, once in 15 days, at the doorstep of beneficiaries, i.e., children, women and lactating mothers to ensure continuous nutritional support. Besides medicines to be distributed as per requirement and special attention to be given to the timely medical interventions for SAM children. Further, steps have been taken to enable delivering of essential health services including vaccination services during the COVID 19 pandemic. States/ UTs have been guided for operationalization of immunization sessions at the Anganwadi Centres, ensuring compliance to all the necessary measures for prevention of COVID-19 infection.

Also, during Covid-19 period this Ministry has sought regular reports from States/UTs to ensure uninterrupted delivery of services to the beneficiaries.

Anganwadi Services have already been universalized and has expanded to cover all habitations across the country.

Anganwadi Services is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, implemented through State Governments/UT Administrations. Central Government prescribes the calorie and protein content of the food for SNP to be provided through the meal whereas the recipe/type of food to be included in SNP is decided by concerned States/UTs depending on local food and culturally appropriate habits

This information was given by the Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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