Delhi ICDS feels the pinch

the Delhi government has increased the budget for supplementary nutrition under the Integrated Child Development Services (icds) from Rs 2 to Rs 4 per child per day.
The amount was increased to tackle rising food prices as well as to introduce variety in the menu to improve the nutritional intake of beneficiaries, says Debashri Mukherjee, secretary of the Department of Social Welfare, Delhi. ngos providing hot cooked meal under the programme, however, feel the increased budget is insufficient.
The government has increased the food quota for every child from 200 gm to 300 gm. The quantity of weaning food, for children below six months, has also been increased from 60 gm to 120 gm. Under the changed menu, children will be given laddoo (sweet) once in a month and suji ka halwa thrice a month. The state government has even specified the number of cloves and resins that needs to be added.