Under Supplementary Nutrition Programme of the Anganwadi Services Scheme, nutritional assistance is provided to the pregnant women and the new-born in all districts of the country including Aspirational Districts. As per the National Food Security Act, 2013 enacted by the Government, every pregnant woman and lactating mother is entitled to receive meals during pregnancy and six months after the child birth through the local Anganwadi so as to meet the nutritional standards specified in Schedule II of the Act. Further, it is provided in the Act that for children below the age of six months, exclusive breast feeding shall be promoted.

Accordingly, for children below 6 months of age, exclusive breastfeeding is promoted and under the Anganwadi Services of the Umbrella ICDS Scheme, Supplementary Nutrition is provided to pregnant women and lactating mothers in the form of Take Home Ration (not raw ration) at the Anganwadi Centers in accordance with the nutritional norms provided under Schedule II of the Act. The scheme is universal in nature and is implemented throughout the country.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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