Expressing deep concern over the poor implementation of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has urged all States and Union Territories to set up an institutionalized review process at their level to exclusively deal with ICDS, after carrying out a detailed assessment of this Programme. While doing so, he also urged them to lay special emphasis on the Programme status in areas with concentration of minority communities and preponderance of Scheduled Castes and Tribes.

In a recent letter to Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories, Dr. Singh pointed out that unless we take stock of the present position and remove the lacunae, universalization will mostly remain on paper and will not help our children secure a brighter future. "The core objective of the ICDS Scheme in the 11th Plan should be universalization with quality", he stressed. The Prime Minister expressed serious concern over under-nutrition in the 0-6 age group and poor immunization status under ICDS.

Following is the text of the Prime Minister's letter in this regard:

"I would like to share with you my concern over the implementation of the Integrated Child Development Services(ICDS) Scheme. A number of reports and surveys, including the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) and Focus on Children Under Six (FOCUS) seem to indicate a noticeable decline in the qualitative aspects of the programme. Recent judgements by the Hon'ble Supreme Court have also highlighted these problems.

There is strong evidence that the programme has not led to any substantial improvement in the nutritional status of children under six. Our prevalent rate of under-nutrition in this age group remains one of the highest in the world. Immunization status under ICDS continues to be poor. The coverage status is also a matter of concern and about 11 crore children, out of a total of 16 crore in the 0-6 age group, remain unreached. These are startling figures and the situation calls for urgent action. Therefore, I urge you to set up an institutionalized review process at your level to exclusively deal with ICDS, after carrying out a detailed assessment of this programme in your State. While doing so, you may also please lay special emphasis on the programme status in areas with concentration of minority communities and preponderance of Scheduled Castes and Tribes.

My own reading of these reports and surveys lead me to believe that proper implementation of the programme critically depends on political will, decentralized monitoring and meticulous attention to day-to-day operational issues. Otherwise, problems like irregular functioning of Anganwadi Centres (AWCs), inability to provide hot, cooked food and leakage of food material meant for infants, will persist. You may appreciate that there is a need to adequately empower Panchayati Raj Institutions(PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to monitor and supervise the working of these centers and to make the line officials firmly accountable for their actions. Some States, in particular Tamil Nadu, have managed to build in these features in their standard operating procedures. It would be useful to learn from their experiences.

We are in the process of universalizing ICDS. But I am afraid, unless we take stock of the present situation and remove the lacunae, universalization will mostly remain on paper and will not help our children secure a brighter future. The core objective of the ICDS Scheme in the 11th Plan should be universalization with quality.

I should be grateful for your response and for keeping me posted on a regular, say quarterly basis, on further developments in this sector."