Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Women and Child Development addresses concerns regarding the quality of Take Home Ration (THR) under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) and the operational challenges of the Face Reading System (FRS) for THR distribution. The Ministry emphasizes States/UTs' responsibility for THR quality, adherence to food safety standards, and periodic testing. The FRS, implemented to strengthen accountability, requires eKYC which can be completed offline after initial online registration, with a mandatory implementation date of July 1, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
THR Quality and Standards:
* Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by State Governments/UT Administrations.
* States/UTs must ensure the quality of Supplementary Nutrition (THR and Hot Cooked Meal) according to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
* Quality testing must be done through Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) owned or authorized laboratories.
* District Nutrition Committees, under the District Collector/District Magistrate, shall ensure periodic THR testing in randomly selected Anganwadi Centres (AWCs).
Face Recognition System (FRS) Implementation:
* The Ministry has developed FRS for last-mile tracking of THR delivery to ensure benefits reach intended beneficiaries.
* FRS involves photo capturing and eKYC during registration, and photo matching during THR distribution.
* FRS has been made mandatory for THR distribution from July 1, 2025.
* eKYC requires mobile network connectivity, but face matching can be done offline thereafter.
* Beneficiaries can complete eKYC through the Poshan Tracker beneficiary module using the Aadhar system.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments/UT Administrations:
* Impact: Responsible for ensuring the quality of THR and HCM, conducting periodic checks, and testing through accredited laboratories. Accountable for implementing Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.
* Action Required: Ensure THR and HCM quality adhere to prescribed standards, conduct regular testing, and implement FRS for THR distribution from July 1, 2025.
Anganwadi Sevikas:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing FRS for THR distribution, including capturing beneficiary photos and conducting eKYC.
* Action Required: Utilize FRS for THR distribution from July 1, 2025, ensuring eKYC completion for beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries:
* Impact: Required to participate in FRS by providing photos for registration and during THR distribution. Eligible beneficiaries will receive rightful THR entitlements.
* Action Required: Cooperate with Anganwadi Sevikas for photo capture and eKYC, or complete eKYC through the Poshan Tracker beneficiary module.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Women and Child Development: The Indian government ministry responsible for policies and programs related to women and children.
Take Home Ration (THR): Supplementary nutrition provided to beneficiaries, especially children, under various government schemes.
Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS): A centrally sponsored scheme in India that provides services for the holistic development of children under 6 years of age and pregnant and lactating mothers.
Maharashtra: A state in India where Anganwadi Sevikas are reportedly facing issues with the quality of Take Home Ration.
Face Reading System (FRS): A system introduced to ensure accountability in the distribution of Take Home Ration (THR) by using facial recognition technology.
Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0: A centrally sponsored scheme focused on nutrition and early childhood development.
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: An act of the Parliament of India to consolidate the laws relating to food safety and standards.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): An authority responsible for ensuring that food products meet certain standards of quality and safety.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1013
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2025
QUALITY OF TAKE HOME RATION
1013. SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH:
Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Ministry is aware of persistent complaints regarding the poor quality of
Take Home Ration (THR) supplied under the Integrated Child Development Scheme
(ICDS), which has led to repeated follow-ups by Anganwadi Sevikas with
beneficiaries in Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the recently introduced Face Reading System (FRS) for ensuring
accountability in THR distribution is facing operational failures due to inability of
multiple Sevikas to access the system concurrently, absence of reliable mobile
network coverage in remote, forested and hilly areas and non-functionality of
government-issued SIM cards and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Ministry proposes to suspend/review the implementation of FRS until
these critical infrastructure and delivery challenges are resolved; and
(d) if not, the justification for continuing with a system that hampers last-mile delivery
and burdens frontline workers?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)
(a): Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is a centrally sponsored scheme, and the
implementation of the scheme falls under the ambit of State Government/ UT
Administration.
As per the existing guidelines of the Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0,
States/UTs should ensure the quality of Supplementary Nutrition-THR and Hot Cooked
Meal (HCM). Supplementary nutrition must conform to prescribed standards laid down
under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and regulations made there under to ensure
consistent quality and nutritive value per serving. Quality testing shall be done through
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) owned or authorized
laboratories. State Governments and UTs carry out periodic checks and get supplementary
nutrition tested through the FSSAI owned/registered/empaneled/accredited laboratories inaccordance with Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan (2.0), Rules,2022 dated 12th
September, 2022. The District Nutrition Committee under the District Collector/ District
Magistrate shall ensure periodic testing of THR in randomly selected AWCs. Government
of India constantly monitors and reviews the scheme and its components and based on
learnings and suggestions, it takes appropriate action from time to time through sustained
engagements, video conferences, meeting with various stakeholders at various levels.
(b) to (d): For last mile tracking of delivery of nutrition, Ministry of Women & Child
Development has developed Facial Recognition System (FRS) for the distribution of Take
Home Ration to ensure that benefit is given only to the intended beneficiary registered in
Poshan Tracker. FRS has been implemented for strengthening accountability of field
functionaries and empowering eligible beneficiaries to receive their rightful entitlements. It
involves Photo capturing of the beneficiaries and e-KYC during registration, and then
capturing photo again during THR distribution for matching of the photos. The FRS has
been made mandatory for the distribution of THR from 1 July, 2025. Mobile network is
required for completing e-KYC which is to be done only once. Thereafter the face matching
can be done even in offline mode.
FRS facility is also made available in the beneficiary module of Poshan Tracker where
beneficiary can herself capture her photo and complete the e-KYC process based on
Aadhar system from home/any place through the beneficiary module. As on 20 July, 2025,
face capturing, and e-KYC has been completed for a total of 69% beneficiaries registered
for Take Home Ration already.
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