Supplementary Nutrition Programme- Bihar

Description
The "Supplementary Nutrition Programme" is implemented by the Social Welfare Department, Government of Bihar, across all districts of the state under the Integrated Child Development Services ICDS Scheme Mission Mode . The programme aims to enhance the nutritional level of normal/malnourished/severely malnourished children aged 6 months to 6 years, as well as pregnant women and lactating mothers, through Anganwadi centers. The nutritional standards in the state are set in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, New Delhi. This programme is centrally sponsored with a funding ratio of 50:50 between the Central and State governments.

Exclusions
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Benefits
• Under this scheme, hot cooked meals and Take-Home Rations (THR) are provided to children aged 6 months to 3 years, as well as pregnant women and lactating mothers enrolled at Anganwadi centers.
• **Hot Cooked Meals:** Children attending Anganwadi centers for pre-school education, aged 3 to 6 years, receive Khichdi three days a week, Pulao one day, Rasiyav one day, and Semolina pudding one day. Hot cooked food is provided uniformly across Anganwadi centers in all districts for a total of 25 days each month. On Wednesdays and Fridays, children who consume eggs receive a boiled egg for breakfast, while non-egg eaters are given sprouted gram and jaggery. - **Take-Home Rations (THR):** Dry rations are distributed once a month, covering 25 days, to pregnant women, lactating mothers, and normal, malnourished, and severely malnourished children aged 6 months to 3 years. Pregnant and lactating mothers who consume eggs are provided with a boiled egg every Wednesday and Friday (seven times a month) at the Anganwadi center, while non-egg eaters receive soybean. Children aged 6 months to 3 years who consume eggs are also given a boiled egg on Wednesdays and Fridays, with soybean provided for non-egg eaters. - **Morning Snacks:** If the district-level price fixation committee increases the price of any item, the additional cost is covered by the morning snack budget. Any savings from other items are used to provide sprouted gram-jaggery, jaggery-chura, or similar items for breakfast.
• **Note:** Every Wednesday, 18 grams of milk powder (mixed in 150 ml of warm water) is provided to each child aged 3 to 6 years at 25 Anganwadi centers in 5 districts (Gaya, Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj, and Vaishali) under a pilot project, which has since been expanded across the state.

Eligibility Criteria
1. The beneficiary should be a resident of Bihar.
2. All children aged 6 months to 6 years, as well as pregnant women and lactating mothers enrolled in Anganwadi centers across the state, are eligible to receive benefits under the programme.

Required Documents
• Identity proof of applicant i.e. Aadhaar Card
• Proof of age i.e. Birth certificate of the child
• Proof of pregnancy/Medical report, in case pregnant woman
• Address proof
• Any additional documents as required

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is eligible for this Programme?
A: All children aged 6 months to 6 years, pregnant women, and lactating mothers registered at an Anganwadi center in Bihar are eligible for this programme. The beneficiary must be a resident of Bihar.

Q: How are the meals provided under this programme?
A: Meals are provided in two forms:
1. Hot Cooked Meals for children aged 3 to 6 years at Anganwadi centers.
2. Take-Home Rations (THR) for children aged 6 months to 3 years, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

Q: What types of meals are served in the Anganwadi centers?
A: 1. Khichdi (three days a week)
2. Pulao (one day a week)
3. Rasiyav (one day a week)
4. Semolina pudding (one day a week)
5. Boiled egg (on Wednesdays and Fridays for children who eat eggs)
6. Sprouted gram and jaggery (for non-egg eaters).

Q: What are the meal provisions for children aged 6 months to 3 years?
A: Children aged 6 months to 3 years receive monthly take-home rations (THR) and boiled eggs on Wednesdays and Fridays (or soybean for non-egg eaters).

Q: What nutritional items are provided to pregnant women and lactating mothers?
A: Pregnant women and lactating mothers receive dry rations monthly, along with boiled eggs on Wednesdays and Fridays (or soybean for non-egg eaters) at Anganwadi centers.

Q: How many times a month are eggs provided to the beneficiaries?
A: Eggs are provided seven times a month, on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Q: What special nutrition is provided under the pilot project?
A: Under the pilot project, children aged 3 to 6 years receive 18 grams of milk powder (mixed in 150 ml of warm water) every Wednesday at 25 Anganwadi centers in 5 districts, which is now expanded across Bihar.

Q: How can one register for this Programme?
A: To avail of benefits, eligible beneficiaries need to register at their nearest Anganwadi center.

Q: What is the funding structure of the Supplementary Nutrition Programme?
A: The scheme is funded on a 50:50 ratio between the Central Government and the Government of Bihar.

Q: Is the programme available across all districts in Bihar?
A: Yes, the programme is implemented across all districts of Bihar through Anganwadi centers.

Q: How are complaints or grievances addressed?
A: Complaints can be filed with the Public Grievance Redressal Officer at various levels such as sub-division, district, or department. Alternatively, complaints can be addressed to the Child Development Project Officer, District Program Officer, or the Director at the state level.

Q: How often are dry rations distributed?
A: Dry rations are distributed once a month for 25 days to the eligible beneficiaries.

Q: Can someone not registered with an Anganwadi center avail of the programme benefits?
A: No, only those who are registered with an Anganwadi center can avail of the benefits.