Wheat-Based Supplementary Nutrition Programme (WNP)

The wheat-based supplementary nutrition programme is a centrally sponsored scheme started in 1986. This scheme was initiated to enlarge the scope of existing nutrition programme by covering additional beneficiaries. The children and antenanta and mother, primarily in tribal areas, urban slums and backward areas. Initially, this scheme was meant to cover additional beneficiaries who could not be covered by IDCS projects. But from 1990, only the beneficiaries of the central sectorICDS projects are provided supplementary nutrition under this scheme. At present 16 states and 3 union territories are implementing this scheme, with a target of thirty lakh beneficiaries.(Source : Indian Paediatrics 1992, 29 : 1601-1613) 

Objectives : The programme aims to enlarge the scope of existing nutrition programme by covering additional beneficiaries i.e. pre-school children and nursing and expectant mothers through wheat-based supplementary nutrition. 

Beneficiaries : Children of pre-school age, nursing and expectant mothers in disadvantaged areas with high IMR or high concentration of scheduled castes, particularly in urban slums and backward rural and tribal areas. 

Activities : Under this scheme supplementary nutrition is provided to the pre-school children and pregnant and expectant mothers. The scheme consists of 2 components, viz. Centrally funded component and state funded component. 

i) Centrally funded component : Under the centrally sponsored WNP, the supplementary food containing 300 calories and 10 grams protein is given to children and 500 calories and 20 grams of protein to expectant and nursing mothers. Assistance at a cost norm of 75 paise per beneficiary per day for 25 days in a month is provided. Out of 75 paise, the GO1 contributes 50 paise and the balance 25 paise is borne by the concerned state governments themselves. 

ii) State funded component : Under this component, the wheat was initially provided to the state governments at a subsidy of Rs. 700 per m.t., to provide " supplementary nutrition to the beneficiaries covered by the state government nutrition programmes. From 1989, no subsidy is given to the state governments. The states are, however, now provided wheat at the public distribution system (PDS) rate.