The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed the Director of Women and Child Development (WCD) Department to enforce the guidelines issued for effective implementation of Poshaka Balyam in Anganwadis.
Commission chairman Alexander Thomas’ directive comes on the heels of a complaint that milk and eggs were not being distributed in proper quantity in anganwadis under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Thiruvananthapuram Urban III project office. Anganwadi workers and helpers headed by Thiruvananthapuram Urban have filed a complaint.
Poshaka Balyam is an ongoing scheme of the state government under which milk and eggs are provided twice a week to children attending anganwadis.
The Commission sought a report from the WCD Director on the matter. The director informed the committee that according to the circular issued on May 20, 2022, the child should receive 125 ml of milk. However, in the anganwadi where the complaint arose, milk was not distributed in the prescribed quantity. In some angwadis, even if more than four children were present, they were provided only 500 ml of milk. Anganwadis have been directed to strictly follow the circular, the WCD director’s report said.
Published – 25 October 2025 21:35 IST
