ORDER

1. With the assistance of learned counsel, we have perused various documents including Report No. I of 2000 prepared by CAG and a working paper on Health, Nutrition and Family Welfare Programme Review of Progress during the Ninth Plan period by the Planning Commission, Government of India (February 2001). It is evident that the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) is perhaps the largest of all the food supplementation programmes in the world, was initiated in the year 1975 with the following objectives as per the aforesaid document prepared by the Planning Commission:

(i) To improve the health and nutrition status of children of 0-6 years by providing supplementary food and by coordinating with State Health Departments to ensure delivery of required health inputs.

(ii) To provide conditions necessary for pre-school childrens psychological and social development through early stimulation and education.

(iii) To provide pregnant and lactating women with food supplements.

(iv) To enhance the mothers ability to provide proper child care through health and nutrition education.

(v) To achieve effective coordination of policy and implementation among the various departments to