Promises to keep: ICDS short of funds, 44% children still malnourished

New Delhi: Feb 21, 2010

The world’s biggest children’s nutrition program, called the Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) runs in India. Started in 1975, the program was limping along till the Supreme Court ordered its universalisation in 2004. As a result, the government has repeatedly promised that it will extend the program to all 14 lakh habitations in the country. Analysis done by the Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA) shows, that there is a wide gap between the financial allocations currently being made and the need for running such a massive program smoothly. As the government scrambles to meet the Supreme Courts directions, the state of decay and inefficiency is sought to be papered over with gross figures.

Read more