New Delhi: In a major setback, the recent social audit of the direct benefit transfer (DBT) of food subsidy in Ranchi’s Nagri block found a majority of the beneficiaries wanting subsidized food grains instead of cash transfer.The government decision to introduce conditional cash transfers in a key nutrition programme for children, pregnant and lactating mothers instead of take-home ration in the country’s 10 districts on a pilot basis has hit a roadblock.

Citing the adverse feedback from beneficiaries in the state to the cash-transfer scheme, the Union women and child development (WCD) ministry has decided to seek views of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and federal think-tank NitiAayog on whether the ministry should go ahead with the pilot.

Jharkhand had started cash transfers in place of subsidised grains on a pilot basis in October. “After the Jharkhand report was brought to our notice, WCD minister Maneka Gandhi directed that PMO and NitiAayog’s opinion be sought on whether to go ahead with the pilot,” said a ministry official, who did not want to be named. The official added the ministry is in the process of writing to them.

According to the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey 2015-16, 38% children under five are stunted, or have low height than what is normal for their age. About 36% are underweight.

At present, under the supplementary nutrition program run by the WCD ministry, a child below three years is entitled to a take-home ration of Rs 8 per day.