NEW DELHI: The government is seeking to make Aadhar the basis for unique identification under the National Nutrition Mission to prevent fake registration of children in the Anganwadi system Three lakh fake registrations of children found in Assam have reinforced the need for a unique identification mechanism and for now Aadhar appears to be the only solution before the Government. The bio-metrics will be captured after the child turns five. Those without and Aadhar will be registered by the Anganwadi workers who will get and incentive of Rs 500 per registration.Minister for women and child development Maneka Gandhi at the briefing to share details about the National Nutrition Mission shared that a pilot to verify beneficiaries registered with Anganwadis under the Integrated child development programme in Assam alone has revealed some 3 lakh children whose names only existed on paper. "The identification of these fake registrations has not only saved the exchequer around Rs 30 lakhs per day but has also reinforced the need for unique identification," Gandhi said.On whether the Nutrition Mission is addressing the question of whether to give children hot cooked meals or nutrition supplements, Gandhi said that for now beneficiaries will continue to get cooked food and take-home rations. Gandhi said that on the directions of the PM, Niti Ayog has set-up a technical committee where nutrition scientists and pediatricians will look at what should be served to children and the whole delivery mechanism.

Source: Times of India December 01, 2017 17:15 UTC