Gujarat’s ₹8.50 Daily Anganwadi Food Budget Raises Concerns Over Child Nutrition
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The Gujarat government has increased the daily food budget for Anganwadi children from ₹5.10 to ₹8.50 per child. The increase of ₹3.40 is meant to help provide nutritious food, including pulses, chickpeas, vegetables and fruits. However, the small amount has raised questions about whether children can receive proper nutrition at a time when food prices are high.
Food Budget Increased by ₹3.40
According to the information provided, the revised amount is intended to support breakfast and meals for children aged 3 to 6 years at Anganwadi centres. Around 16.17 lakh children received food under the earlier budget of ₹5.10 per child per day. Under the previous arrangement, the Central and Gujarat governments each contributed 50 per cent of the cost. The state government has now increased the amount by ₹3.40.
How Much Does Each Food Item Cost?
Food Cost Breakdown for Anganwadi Children:
Food Item / Component | Cost per Child (₹) |
Tuvar Dal | ₹1.24 |
Whole Chickpeas | ₹0.85 |
Whole Moong | ₹1.30 |
Bottle Gourd | ₹0.53 |
Green Vegetables | ₹0.83 |
Fruits | ₹0.65 |
Groundnuts and Sesame | ₹2.00 |
Spices | ₹0.60 |
Transportation | ₹0.50 |
Total Listed Cost | ₹8.50 |
The listed expenses add up to ₹8.50 per child, leaving little room for additional costs if prices rise. The figures are reportedly based on the supplied report.
Questions Over Children's Nutrition
The report questions whether the revised budget is enough to provide both breakfast and meals to young children. It argues that even a small food item can cost more than ₹10 in today's market, making the daily allocation of ₹8.50 appear inadequate. However, the actual nutritional value and quantity of food provided would depend on the ingredients purchased, portion sizes and meal arrangements at each centre.
The report also points to the contrast between the food expenses at political gatherings and the amount set aside for Anganwadi children. It says meals worth around ₹3,000 are served to leaders at some political events, while the daily food budget for a child remains ₹8.50. This comparison has raised concerns about the priority given to children's nutrition.
The increase in the food budget is intended to improve meals for children aged 3 to 6 years, but questions remain about whether the amount can cover nutritious food amid rising prices. The key concern is whether the revised budget will translate into sufficient, balanced and regular meals for children at Gujarat's Anganwadi centres.
