‘In 11 years, Centre releases Rs 4,055 crore for ICDS in J&K’

New Delhi, Jul 31: The Centre has released Rs 4,055.86 crore under the Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 scheme for Jammu and Kashmir during the period from 2014-15 to 2024-25, with the annual release rising from Rs 260.31 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 662.79 crore in 2024-25.
Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur, in response to a question seeking details of allocation, release and utilisation of funds under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) from 2014 to 2024, along with details of Anganwadi Centres and ICDS projects said: “Jammu and Kashmir received Rs 26,031.19 lakh in 2014-15, Rs 27,362.65 lakh in 2015-16, Rs 26,732.11 lakh in 2016-17 and Rs 19,328.24 lakh in 2017-18.
The release stood at Rs 37,406.56 lakh in 2018-19, followed by Rs 31,999.86 lakh in 2019-20 and Rs 28,902.02 lakh in 2020-21. In 2021-22, the Centre released Rs 40,573.74 lakh.”
The Minister said, “During 2022-23, J&K received Rs 47,881.91 lakh, while the release increased to Rs 53,088.35 lakh in 2023-24 and Rs 66,279.24 lakh in 2024-25, the highest annual release during the period.”
The MP sought details of the allocation, release and utilisation of ICDS funds from 2014 to 2024 on a year-wise and State-wise basis, besides details of fully funded and operational Anganwadi Centres and ICDS projects and the contribution made by States above their mandated share.
The Ministry said that the Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, with implementation falling under State Governments and UT administrations.
It said the Centre releases grants-in-aid according to a prescribed cost-sharing ratio. For North-Eastern and Himalayan States, including Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre-State sharing ratio under the specified Anganwadi Services components is 90:10.
The Ministry further said the year-wise State/UT-wise number of Anganwadi Centres and projects under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is available on the Poshan Tracker public dashboard, while the fund-release details from 2014-15 to 2024-25 have been provided in the annexure.
It said, “Jammu and Kashmir received Rs 260.31 crore in 2014-15, Rs 273.63 crore in 2015-16, Rs 267.32 crore in 2016-17, Rs 193.28 crore in 2017-18, Rs 374.07 crore in 2018-19, Rs 320 crore in 2019-20, Rs 289.02 crore in 2020-21, Rs 405.74 crore in 2021-22, Rs 478.82 crore in 2022-23, Rs 530.88 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 662.79 crore in 2024-25 under the Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 scheme.” (KNO)