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To meet the objective of universalizing the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), the Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram has proposed to expand the programme and create 1,88,168 additional Anganwadi Centres across the country. At present there are 6,49,000 Centres The allocation for ICDS is proposed to be increased from Rs. 1,623 crore in 2004-05 to Rs. 3,142 crore in the budget proposals for 2005-06.
Stating that 47 per cent of children in the age group 0-3 are underweight and supplementary nutrition being an integral part of the ICDS, the Finance Minister also proposed to double the supplementary nutrition norms and share one-half of the States’ cost for this purpose.
SB/MVVS/RKJ/VB/NSR
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