The ‘Inside Districts’ series launched in April was a one-of-its-kind attempt to capture the experiences of district and Block-level officials, panchayat functionaries and frontline workers, on their challenges and best practices.

This interview was conducted with an ICDS Supervisor in Shahpur, Himachal Pradesh in Hindi on 22 July 2020, and has been translated.

Q: Are you still giving ration packets and dry food instead of Take Home Ration (THR) and Hot Cooked Meals (HCMs) under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)?

ICDS Supervisor: THR was being given to the beneficiaries regularly even during the lockdown. Anganwadi workers and helpers were delivering this to homes. However, currently, beneficiaries are being called to the Anganwadi centre and THR is distributed while taking all the necessary precautions.

HCM is not being provided since the lockdown.

Q: Have routine activities such as immunisations, antenatal care, commenced? Are Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Days (VHSNDs) being organised now?

ICDS Supervisor: Vaccination has started this month. Apart from this, a cleanliness and awareness committee (comprising teachers and ward members) has started meeting in the Anganwadi centre.

We have received instructions to organise VHSNDs from this month.

Q: Are you receiving any additional monetary incentives or insurance for pandemic work?

ICDS Supervisor: In the position of Supervisor, we are not receiving any additional monetary incentive or insurance. We are satisfied with our salary, and we do not want to demand any incentive from the government. I feel proud that I am able to work for the department!

More experiences can be found on the dedicated Inside Districts platform.