NHRC notice to the Centre and the Government of Jharkhand over a media report alleging 55% beneficiaries not getting nutrition under the ICDS in 159 blocks of the State

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu of a media report that according to a survey in 159 blocks of Jharkhand, 55% beneficiaries did not get supplementary nutrition under the Integrated Child Development Scheme, ICDS. The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of the Right to Food, which is one of the basic human rights, which the State is duty bound to protect.

Accordingly, it has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Jharkhand and the Secretary, Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, calling for a detailed report in the matter within six weeks.

According to the media report carried on 06th July, 2021, the survey report of Right to Food Campaign is based on survey of 18288 beneficiaries across 159 blocks in Jharkhand, who did not receive supplementary nutrition under the ICDS even once in the first six months of this year. Allegedly, nutritional supplements worth Rs. 200 crore were not given to the beneficiaries.

Reportedly, in Jharkhand, every second child is stunted or underweight and every third child is affected by stunting, and around 70% children are anaemic as per the data of the National Family Health Survey. Under the ICDS schemes children between the age of 6 months to 6 years and pregnant and lactating women are provided supplementary nutrition, pre-school non-formal education, nutrition and health education, immunization, health check-up and referral services through Anganwadi centres as well as through the health department.

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