8 states flouted norms for food procurement under Integrated Child Development Services: Government

NEW DELHI: 'Alleged' irregularities have been observed in eight states regarding procurement of Supplement Nutrition Food under the centrally-sponsored Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), the Parliament was informed today.

"Complaints have been received alleging irregularities in procurement of Supplementary Nutrition Food under ICDS, recently, pertaining to Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, UP, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Haryana," Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said in written reply in Rajya Sabha.

She said that the ministry has last month issued an advisory to all states and Union Territories (UTs) to strictly follow e-procurement procedure for procurement of goods and services under ICDS scheme to ensure transparency and efficiency. Separately, they have also been emphasised to put in place a system to ensure quality and hygiene of food being supplied under ICDS scheme by adhering to the guidelines.

"ICDS is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by all States/UTs across the country. The implementation responsibilities including procurement of programme components like medicine kits, pre-school education kits, weighing scales etc. and 'take home ration' under Supplementary Nutrition Programme rest with the States/UTs," she said.