Cabinet approves continuation of sub-schemes under ICDS

New Delhi, Nov 16 (IANS) The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the continuation of sub-schemes under ICDS like the Anganwadi Services, Scheme for Adolescent Girls, Child Protection Services and National Cr?che Scheme till November 2018 with an outlay of over Rs 41,000 crore.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave the approval to the sub-schemes under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).

The Cabinet gave its approval for the continuation of the schemes from April 1, 2017 to November 30, 2018.

The Cabinet also approved the implementation of the Scheme for Adolescent Girls for out-of-school girls in the age group of 11-14, its phased expansion, and phasing out of the ongoing Kishori Shakti Yojana for such girls.

"The decision also provides for conversion of the National Cr?che Scheme from the central sector to the centrally-sponsored scheme with the revised cost sharing between the Centre and states as 60:40 for all states and union territories with legislature.

"This ratio is 90:10 for north-eastern and Himalayan states and 100 per cent for UTs without legislature, with implementation of the scheme through states/union territories instead of existing implementation agencies," an official statement said.

More than 11 crore children, pregnant women and lactating mothers, and adolescent girls will benefit through this scheme, which has a fiancial outlay of Rs 41,353.70 crore.

Anganwadi Services (ICDS) and Child Protection Services are already in operation in the entire country.

The Scheme for Adolescent Girls will be expanded in a phased manner. The National Creche Scheme will continue to be implemented in 23,555 creches. The approval for the National Nutrition Mission will be obtained separately.