Starting again, with some good news

It has been some time that I completed my blog posts. :) And then they expired. Along with them the feeling to write new ones also seemed to retire. So from now on, let me just put up immediately, without waiting for redrafting.

I would really like to keep track of the news/views concerning ICDS - concerning children 0-6 and their needs in India - and keep building the awareness-voices and consensus for it. There is much happening in the field, and yes, enough on the internet too, so my work is easier.

To begin with, let me share the good news: Anganwadi workers salaries have been increased by the recent budget.
FM brings good news for Anganwadi workers

And there is some serious consideration of revising norms for supplementary nutrition and convergence with NRHM and Total Sanitation Campaign.

The PIB note says "The Norms for Supplementary Nutrition were earlier revised by the GOI in 2008-09. As per revised norms, Rs.4/- per beneficiary, per day, is prescribed for children of 6-72 months, Rs.6/- per beneficiary, per day, for severely malnourished children (6-72 months) and Rs.5/- per beneficiary, per day, for pregnant and nursing mothers."

However, many state ministers of WCD seem to agree with civil society organizations and anganwadi worker unions and SHG groups that this is inadequate. They urged "the need for enhanced rate and for indexation of the cost of supplementary food norms with the Consumer Price Index (CPI)."

Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Women and Child Development, has assured them on 28 Jan 2011 that this is being looked into. Maybe the 12th plan will see better planning.