Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)

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Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Haryana (2005-2010)
(CAG of India, 04-03-2011) CAG of India
The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), a Centrally sponsored scheme, was launched in 197576 with the main objective of improving the nutritional standard and health status of children in the age group of zero to six years and to enhance the capability of mothers to look after the health of their children. Performance audit of the scheme in Haryana for the Period 2005-2010, brought out deficiencies in its implementation. Coverage of children and women beneficiaries under various components of the scheme was inadequate. About 44 per cent of the children in the age group of zero to six years were malnourished at the end of 2009-10. Huge funds were drawn in advance of requirement and were kept in bank accounts. About one fifth of the targeted Anganwadi buildings were not constructed despite availability of funds. Facilities such as drinking water and toilets were not available in 73 and 57 per cent Anganwadi Centres respectively. Non-testing of food to check adequate micronutrients, non-maintenance of records of referral services, etc. also indicated deficient implementation of the scheme.
Thematic Audit on Functioning of Anganwadi Centres in Rajasthan (2015-2018)
(CAG of India, 06-03-2020) CAG of India
Anganwadi Centres are the first outpost for delivery of supplementary nutrition, pre-school education and other services under the ICDS programme to children in the age group of 6 months to 6 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers. Audit noticed that there were deficiencies in planning, availability of infrastructure, equipment and manpower in these Anganwadi centres. There was shortfall of 35.24 per cent and 41.32 per cent in coverage of targeted eligible beneficiaries for supplementary nutrition and pre-school education respectively. A substantial number (23.30 lakhs) of malnourished children were deprived of additional nutrition. None of the AWCs were able to provide micronutrient fortified supplementary nutrition as the Self Help Groups who supplied food did not have the capacity for fortification. Shortage of critical personnel like CDPOs/ACDPOs (52.47 per cent) and Supervisors (31.68 per cent) and shortage in prescribed trainings also affected various aspects of delivery of the programme. These deficiencies coupled with lack of regular supervision resulted in weaknesses in the delivery of services.
Performance Audit of Functioning of Anganwadi Centres in Rajasthan (2015-2018)
(CAG of India, 06-03-2020) CAG of India
Anganwadi Centres are the first outpost for delivery of supplementary nutrition, pre-school education and other services under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme to children in the age group of 6 months to 6 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers. The objective of the thematic audit was inter alia to assess regular and effective delivery of services by AWCs. Some of the significant audit findings include deficiencies in planning, availability of infrastructure, equipment and manpower and lack of regular supervision. There was shortfall of 35.24 per cent and 41.32 per cent in coverage of targeted eligible beneficiaries for supplementary nutrition and pre-school education respectively. A substantial number (23.30 lakhs) of malnourished children were deprived of additional nutrition. None of the AWCs were able to provide micronutrient fortified supplementary nutrition as the Self Help Groups who supplied food did not have the capacity for fortification. Shortage of critical personnel like CDPOs/ACDPOs (52.47 per cent) and Supervisors (31.68 per cent) and shortage in prescribed trainings also affected various aspects of delivery of the programme. These deficiencies coupled with lack of regular supervision resulted in weaknesses in the delivery of services.
Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Mizoram (2008-2013)
(CAG of India, 09-07-2014) CAG of India
The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme was launched as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on 2nd October 1975, in pursuance of the National Policy for the Children, 1974. The policy laid down that the State shall provide adequate services to children before and after the birth and during the period of growth to ensure their full physical, mental and social development. Thus, the scheme aimed at holistic development of children in the age group of zero to six years and pregnant and lactating mothers through a package of six services. This performance audit of implementation of ICDS in Mizoram was conducted to assess the efficiency, economy and effectiveness in implementation of the various components of ICDS. Audit Objectives: The objective of this performance audit were to assess and evaluate whether: (i) Proper planning was done to meet the principal aim of universal accessibility of services provided under it; (ii) Funds allocated and released were used economically and efficiently; (iii) Infrastructure facilities were adequately provided in Anganwadi Centres for effective delivery of services; (iv) The Scheme of Supplementary Nutrition was being implemented effectively so as to achieve the objective of improving the nutritional and health status of beneficiaries; (v) The services of Pre-School, non-formal education were being provided effectively so as to reduce the incidence of school drop out; (vi) Deployment and training of manpower under the scheme was adequate for effective delivery of services; (vii) Health care related services were provided to the beneficiaries under the scheme; (viii) Information, Education and Communication (IEC) was effective and resulted in community mobilisation in the services of ICDS, and (ix) The system of Monitoring and Evaluation was in pace and was effective.
Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in West Bengal (2007-2012)
(CAG of India, 10-07-2014) CAG of India
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), a centrally sponsored flagship scheme, aims at improvement in the nutritional and health status of children and pregnant women and lactating mothers in rural, tribal and urban slum areas. The programme aims to reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity and malnutrition through delivery of a package of services like supplementary nutrition, immunisation, health check up and non-formal pre-school education (PSE). The implementation and efficacy of the scheme in West Bengal for the period from 2007-12 were subjected to Performance Audit through the test check of five districts and sampled projects and Anganwadi Centres (AWs) there under. Noticeable progress was observed towards universalisation of the programme during 2007-12. There was reduction in Infant Mortality Rate from that in 2006. However, much remains to be done as regards reduction in malnutrition among pregnant women and percentage of infants with low birth weights. The State lagged behind the achievables in case of Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) and Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR). Test check disclosed many areas of concern as regards operationalising AWs, implementation of supplementary nutrition programme (SNP), availability of basic amenities in AW centres, manpower management, etc. The Department did not operationalise all projects and AWs sanctioned by GoI which deprived beneficiaries of better access to services. There was considerable delay in operationalisation of projects and AWs. Bifurcation of projects to strengthen supervision did not serve its purpose as the newly created projects were not provided with supervisory manpower. AW centres were found lacking in basic amenities, as only 25 per cent had own buildings, while 14 per cent operated in open spaces. Drinking water and toilet facilities were available in 57 and 32 per cent of AWs respectively. Forty nine (49) AWs (25 per cent) out of 200 test checked provided Supplementary Nutrition (SN) for stipulated 300 days. Further, quantum of per day per head food stuff had been reduced by the Department to cushion the price rise. At the same time, avoidable extra expenditure of 240.66 crore was incurred owing to non-availing of the GoI’s offer of supply rice at BPL rate and non-lifting of BPL rice allotted by GoI, which indicated indifference of the Department. The objective of prevention of critical diseases was not addressed adequately, shortfalls being noticed in implementation of immunisation programmes (except for tuberculosis). Non-maintenance of referral cards at AW level and lack of coordination with functionaries of Health Department resulted in serious cases of malnutrition or illness not being properly followed up. Significant shortages between 53 and 69 per cent were noticed in key supervisory posts, resulting in almost half of the AWs either not being or being inadequately supervised. As regards number of days of field visits, actual achievement was 38 per cent of normative requirement in the test checked projects during 2007-12.
Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Odisha (2011-2016)
(CAG of India, 16-09-2017) CAG of India
Performance Audit on Implementation of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme in Odisha covering the period 2011-16 showed that the expenditure was less than the budgetary provision by Rs 1,239.23 crore. Statement of Expenditure and Utilisation Certificates (UCs) submitted to GoI were based on treasury drawals and not on actual expenditure. In the sampled seven districts, Rs 102.77 crore remained unutilised with the District Social Welfare Officers as of March 2016. Funds were also not provided for supply of medicine kits and pre-school education (PSE) kits due to which the Department could not avail Central assistance of Rs 81.75 crore. Out of 38.39 lakh children considered eligible, 3.58 lakh (nine per cent) in the State were not provided Supplementary Nutrition. Supply of food stuff under the scheme was not managed properly, due to which instances of short/ non-supply of eggs and rasi ladu were observed. Quality control mechanism for Take Home Ration was not effective as sample test reports indicated supply of adulterated/ sub-standard/ unsafe chhatua to the beneficiaries. Stock management of wheat and rice under Supplementary Nutrition Programme was deficient. Misappropriation of rice was observed in 12 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) under Joda (T) project. Out of the 82.03 lakh enrolled children, 5.56 lakh children (seven per cent) did not attend pre-school education. PSE kits and Nua Arunima work books were not supplied regularly. Health check-up was provided to only 30 per cent of the eligible children, 56 per cent of the pregnant women and 50 per cent of the nursing mothers in the State during 2011-16. Only 46 per cent of the severely malnourished children were referred to hospitals for treatment. Out of 71,306 AWCs in the State, only 28,187 (40 per cent) AWCs had dedicated ICDS buildings. The pace of construction of ICDS buildings was slow as only 14,059 (53 per cent) out of 26,690 buildings, sanctioned for construction during 2010-16 were completed. Due to non-submission of UCs to GoI for the funds sanctioned during 2013-14 for construction of AWCs, the Department could not avail of Central assistance of Rs 93.76 crore. The Department had not operationalised 1,281 AWCs even after 18 months of sanction under Anganwadi on Demand scheme. Seventy six per cent of AWCs had no toilet facilities. Infrastructure facilities at the AWCs were not adequate even after four decades of implementation of the scheme. Thirty one per cent of the posts in Supervisor cadre and 63 per cent in Statistical Assistants cadre were lying vacant as of March 2016. Monitoring and Supervision of implementation of the scheme was also not adequate.
Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Tripura (2014-2019)
(CAG of India, 17-03-2022) CAG of India
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) one of the flagship programmes of Government of India (GoI), launched in 1975 as an early childhood development programme is aimed at addressing health, nutrition and the development needs of young children, pregnant and nursing mothers. In order to address the gaps in implementation of the scheme, GoI repositioned ICDS as a Mission Mode programme in 2012, with appropriate institutional mechanisms at Central, State, District & Block levels, as well as adequate human and financial resources linked to accountability and outcomes. The Performance Audit of ICDS done by the Principal Accountant General (Audit), Tripura covering the period of 2014-15 to 2018-19 revealed the following: The Annual Project Implementation Plan (APIP) of the ICDS did not demonstrate a bottom-up, decentralised and participatory approach, so as to incorporate the roles of ICDS and Health functionaries at the district and village level. There was no evidence of involvement of local governance, institutions such as District Council and Village Panchayats in the planning process. The Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) revealed that the Department’s achievement of enrolment of beneficiaries under the ICDS, during the period 2014-19, was encouraging being 86 to 98 per cent during the period. However, the several deficiencies noticed during the Performance Audit of the Programme, in planning, management, execution as well as monitoring in implementation of the Programme, clearly indicated tremendous scope for improvement in programme implementation. The Department of Social Welfare and Social Education, which was responsible for the programme implementation, did not do Programme planning as per GoI guidelines. The Planning process was deficient in absence of decentralised planning with involvement of local bodies, trained professional experts and convergence with other State Programmes relating to health and sanitation. There was little involvement of the Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committees in the planning process. On review, we noticed that there was no institutional mechanism of data sharing and cross validation of data amongst the functionaries of ICDS (AWW) and NHM (ASHA, ANM).
Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Pondicherry (2014-2017)
(CAG of India, 18-07-2018) CAG of India
Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services in Pondicherry for the period 2014-15 to 2016-17 revealed that the Department did not plan and assess the requirements of own and dedicated buildings for AWCs and there were delays in construction of own buildings for AWCs. Infrastructure and basic amenities as stipulated in the norms were inadequate in the test-checked AWCs. The Department procured food grains at a much higher rate from open market instead of lifting from FCI, at concessional rates, leading to an excess expenditure of Rs 9.06 crore. Non-supply of medicine kits every year defeated the purpose of extending basic medical care to children at AWCs. Non-supply of preschool kits affected the aim of holistic development of children by use of play and learning material. Monitoring was ineffective and inadequate inspections by CDPOs and Supervisors led to the deficiencies noticed in implementation of the scheme.
Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Uttarakhand (2007-2012)
(CAG of India, 18-09-2013) CAG of India
The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme was launched in the year 1978-79 in three selected blocks (Chakrata, Dharchula and Kirtinagar blocks) of Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh) to provide a package of services comprising supplementary nutrition, immunisation, health check up, referral services, non-formal pre-school education and health and nutrition education. Presently, the programme is being implemented in the entire State and specific focus was given in this study to cover this scheme in audit. Thematic Audit of the scheme revealed that the budget released under the schemes was under-utilised by the Department. Annual Action Plans for the implementation of the scheme were not being prepared by the district/ project authorities. Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) and cooked food provided was much below the prescribed norms of 300 days. Beneficiaries were deprived of the facilities like medicine kits and pre-school kits despite allocation of funds by GOI for the purpose. Efforts were not made to operationalise the sanctioned number of Aanganwadi Centres (AWCs) in the State. Even the operational AWCs suffered from lack of basic amenities like buildings, toilets, drinking water, weighing scales, sufficient manpower and training. Shortage of staff, lack of training, lack of internal audit and shortage of supervision against norms hampered the smooth functioning of the schemes. Thus, the ICDS schemes implemented in the State need strengthening for achieving the objectives of providing basic services in critical areas.
Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Kerala (2006-2011)
(CAG of India, 19-03-2013) CAG of India
The Integrated Child Development Services launched in 1975 in India aims at holistic development of children up to six years ofage, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating mothers by providing a package of services like supplementary nutrition, immunisation, health check up, nutrition and health education, etc. This performance review of the implementation of the scheme in Kerala for the period 2006-07 to 2010-11 revealed deficiencies in the implementation of the scheme such as delay in release offunds for scheme implementation, failure to cover the entire targeted population, etc., thereby defeating the basic objectives of the Scheme. Contrary to Government of India guidelines, Take Home Food delivered to children between six months and three years in the State was not fortified with micro-nutrients. The main audit findings are given below: 1. The department was not preparing any long term perspective plan. In the absence of the plan, there were deficiencies in creation of new AWCs and insufficiencies in the delivery of services to beneficiaries in various components in ICDS. 2. There was a shortage of 8,619 Anganwadi Centres (21 per cent) in the State. Fourteen additional Anganwadi Centres (AWCs), sanctioned in 2005 by GOI, were yet to be operationalized. 3. Many functional AWCs in the test checked ICDS projects were functioning in rented premises and lacked basic infrastructure facilities like safe drinking water, toilets, etc. 4. The percentage of child population who were not immunized against Polio and DPT in Palakkad and Malappuram districts were respectively 36 and 31. 5. The objective of universalization of Supplementary Nutrition Programme was not achieved as 56 to 66 per cent of the identified beneficiaries were not covered under the Scheme. 6. The percentage of malnourished children below the age of six years in the State ranged between 27 and 39. Test check of records in Idukki, Malappuram, Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram districts indicated that 110 out of 1180 children who died during 2011-12, were severely malnourished. 7. GOI guidelines stipulating periodical weighment of child beneficiaries under Supplementary Nutrition Programme to assess their nutritional status was not adhered to during 2007-12. 8. Take Home Ration (THR) valued at % 257.38 crore was purchased from an agency which did not possess the mandatory BIS certification. It was also noticed that an amount of z 22.44 crore was overcharged by the supplier. In a number of cases, test results of the samples of the product were stated to be not satisfactory.
Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Manipur (2011-2016)
(CAG of India, 21-07-2017) CAG of India
Implementation of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme in Manipur suffered from lack of adequate infrastructure and logistic support even after four decades of its launch. Lack of basic amenities and necessary infrastructure in many centers affected the quality of service delivery. Capacity building of human resource at various levels was affected as the stipulated trainings were not conducted resulting in the projects being manned without trained staff in many cases. Interruption in the service delivery and non-availability of adequate kits and equipment compromised the scheme implementation. Community mobilization, Information Education Communication (IEC), convergence with other line departments, monitoring and supervision and quality control were not taken up as envisaged thereby affecting the effectiveness of the scheme. Weakness in financial management and non-maintenance of accounting records resulted in leakage and unaccounted funds.
Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Arunachal Pradesh (2005-10)
(CAG of India, 24-03-2011) CAG of India
The performance audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Arunachal Pradesh for the period 2005-2010 was conducted to ascertain its effectiveness. The performance review revealed that the overall impact of implementation of the scheme was far from satisfactory due to partial implementation of the programme. Programme implementation suffered as there were instances of poor quality and inadequate supply of Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) items. Following are the main audit findings: 1. The excess creation of 54 projects and I 586 AWCs in violation of population norms resulted in excess expenditure of Rs 28.09 crore towards payment of salaries and honorarium of ICDS functionaries. 2. Under Supplementary Nutrition Programme, 86,982 eligible children (42 percent) in 2005-06 and 91,997 children (43 percent) in 2006-07 were left uncovered, The coverage of expectant and nursing mothers declined from 61 per cent in 2005-06 to 47 per cent in 2009-10. 3. Against the actual requirement of funds of Rs 71.50 crore under SNP, Rs 39.37 crore only was released by the State. 4. Nutrition supplement was provided for 5 to 98 days in 2005-06, 18 to 106 days in 2006-07, 22 to 123 days in 2007-08, 30 to 108 days in 2008-09 and 15 to 71 days in 2009-10 against 300 days per year as per guidelines. 5. There was short supply of SNP ration items worth Rs 2.16 crore during 2006-09 in 16 test-checked ICDS projects. 6. Against the target for imparting training to 3844 4 AWWs and 2650 Helpers, training was imparted to only 1260 AWWs (33 percent) and 300 Helpers (11 percent). 7. The Department incurred an extra expenditure of Rs 1.51 crore in procurement of utensils and SNP rations during 2007-08 and 2009-10.
Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Madhya Pradesh (2011-2016)
(CAG of India, 24-03-2017) CAG of India
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is India’s response to the challenge of breaking a vicious cycle of malnutrition, impaired development, morbidity and mortality in young children. Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) under ICDS is primarily designed to bridge the gap between the recommendatory dietary allowance and average daily intake. Every beneficiary of SNP is provided supplementary nutrition (SN) for 300 days in a year, which is supplied by the Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) in the form of cooked meals and Take Home Ration (THR). In Madhya Pradesh, Rs 5012.17 crore was incurred on implementation of SNP during 2011-12 to 2015-16. A performance audit of the implementation of ICDS (Supplementary Nutrition Programme) in Madhya Pradesh during the period 2011-16 revealed the following: 1. Financial Management: State Government provided allocated food grains to District Programme Officers (DPOs) through Madhya Pradesh State Civil Supplies Corporation (MPSCSC) for release under SNP. Audit scrutiny revealed that DPOs did not adhere to Central Issue Price (CIP) of wheat and rice and payments were made to MPSCSC at higher rates. This resulted in excess payment of Rs 40.87 crore to MPSCSC during 2012-13 to 2014-15. Further, unreconciled advance of Rs 13.81 crore was lying with MPSCSC on account of short lifted food grains by DPOs. 2. Madhya Pradesh State Agro Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. (MP Agro), which was the agency for supply of THR packets, utilised excess wheat and rice as compared to quantity of food grains required for THR packets actually supplied by it. Department did not reconcile the reasons for excess utilised food grains, which resulted in undue financial benefits of Rs 15.57 crore to MP Agro. 3. Short coverage of beneficiary: ICDS was to be extended to all children upto the age of six years and all pregnant and lactating mothers. During 2011-16, 20.94 lakh registered children in the age group of six months to three years, 57.02 lakh registered children in age group of three years to six years and 7.99 lakh registered pregnant and lactating mothers were not provided SN. The shortfall was due to deficient infrastructure at AWCs, preparation of less quantity of SN or at times no supply of SN and long distances of AWCs, which acted as disincentives to enrolled beneficiaries affecting their attendance at AWCs. 4. Disruption in delivery of services: In 14 test-checked Project Offices, SN was not supplied during various months (ranged from one day to 120 days) during 2011-12 to 2015-16 in 983 AWCs having 37,079 registered beneficiaries. 5. Distribution of cooked meal: There was a shortfall of 24432.05 MT wheat and 3592.06 MT rice in distribution to Self Help Groups (SHGs) engaged in preparation of cooked meal during year 2011-16, which affected the distribution of cooked meal to beneficiaries. 6. Shortage of AWCs in the State: There was shortage of 18604 AWCs and 3400 Mini-AWCs in the State as of March 2016 as per population norms laid down by Government of India. Out of total 61755 villages/wards in the State, 11156 villages/wards covering 53.84 lakh population were without AWCs. GOI sanctioned 4305 (November 2014), however, these AWCs were not opened. 7. Growth monitoring and nutritional status of children: As per National Family Health Survey (2015-16), there were 9.2 per cent of severely malnourished children in the State. Thus, State could not achieve target for reducing severely malnourished children from 12.6 per cent to 5 per cent. Similarly, State was lagging behind the targets set for reducing percentage of underweight children and under-5 mortality rate. 8. Monitoring of the scheme: Meeting of State Level Monitoring and Review Committee was not held. Monitoring and Review Committee was not constituted at District and Block level for proper monitoring and supervision.
Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Bihar (2011-2016)
(CAG of India, 27-03-2017) CAG of India
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is India’s response to the challenge of breaking a vicious cycle of malnutrition, impaired development, morbidity and mortality in young children. It responds to the inter-related needs of children below six years, pregnant women, lactating mothers and adolescent girls in a comprehensive manner. The performance audit of implementation of this scheme in Bihar for the period 2011-12 to 2015-16 revealed following main findings: 1. Social Welfare Department, Government of Bihar (SWD) did not prescribe benchmarks for identification of prevalence of underweight children, anemia in case of pregnant/lactating women and Infant Mortality Rate and Maternal Mortality Rate in Bihar. Therefore, the output of implementation of ICDS in the State could not be gauged. 2. Hon’ble Supreme court (SC) directed that each habitation should have a functional Anganwadi centre and ICDS should be extended to all children upto the age of six years and all pregnant and lactating mothers. Despitethe orders, ICDS scheme was extended to only 44 to 46 per cent of eligible children, 55 to 58 per cent of eligible pregnant/lactating mothers and 10 to 20 per cent of adolescent girls as SWD failed to furnish specific requirement of AWCs in the State to Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India (MoWCD). 3. Perspective plan for the mission period was not prepared, whereas Annual Plans were prepared at State level without any inputs from Districts/Projects offices/Anganwadi Centers. The Department did not maintain the data on malnourished children. As a result, existing gaps prevailing in programme implementation such as prevalence of underweight/malnourished children, number of children out of preschool education, cases of anemia etc. were not assessed in any of the Annual Plans. 4. The Department could not spend the released funds fully in any of the years from 2011 to 2016 due to delayed release of funds by ICDS Directorate. Consequently, Government of India (GoI) did not release its subsequent share during fourth quarter of 2013-14 and 2015-16 under ICDS (General). Besides, Directorate had submitted incorrect Statement of Expenditure and Utilisation Certificates to GoI resulting in reporting of Rs14.50 crore as expenditure though the amount remained in the bank account. 5. There were only 84,098 Rural Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) against 1,12,272 Panchayat Wards in 503 rural project offices of Bihar leaving 28,174 (25 per cent) Wards in rural areas without any AWCs. Further, 21,366 AWCs and 1675 mini AWCs sanctioned by GoI in November 2014 were not operationalised as on March 2016 as SWD had not identified the population belonging to Schedule Caste (SC)/Schedule Tribes (ST)/Minorities which was a pre-requisite for opening the AWCs. 6. Out of functional 86,752 AWCs in the State, only 24,515 AWCs (28 per cent) were running in Government buildings while remaining 62,237 AWCs were running from either rented houses or from places like Panchayat office, community hall, open places etc. The test-checked 585 AWCs lacked facilities like toilet, drinking water, indoor/outdoor activities, sufficient utensils for preparation and serving of food. Despite availability of funds for construction and upgradation of AWC buildings, the Department did not finalise the budget head for drawals of funds till 2014-15. Therefore released funds could not be drawn from treasury. As a result of delayed finalisation of budget head, the Department could not utilise the funds released by GoI during 2013-15 for construction of 2,915 AWCs and upgradation of 4,405 AWCs. 7. Supplementary Nutrition Programme was not provided for targeted 300 days in any of the 585 test-checked AWCs. The prescribed checks to ensure specified standards and quality/ nutrition value of supplementary nutrition were not carried out by Food and Nutrition Board in the State. Besides, hygiene and safety could not be ensured as kitchen and safe water facility was available in only 29,495 (34 per cent) and 29,643 (34 per cent) of AWCs respectively out of functional 86,752 AWCs. Wheat Based Nutrition Programme (WBNP) to ensure the availability of foodgrains at cheaper rates was not implemented in all AWCs of the State. Medicine kits/Preschool kits were not available in any of the test-checked AWCs. Data on Immunisation was not maintained at any level in ICDS. Severely malnourished children were not referred to PHC/Hospital. 8. Government of Bihar did not constitute State Mission Steering Group and State Empowered Programme Committee for monitoring ICDS. Bihar Integrated Child Development Society was constituted for overseeing child development and nutrition system in December 2015 only. However, the Governing body for the Society is yet to be constituted (August 2016). As meetings of the monitoring committees in the State and in eight test-checked districts were not convened so far (August 2016), the monitoring of the scheme was inadequate.
Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Chhattisgarh (2005-10)
(CAG of India, 28-03-2011) CAG of India
The performance review of implementation of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Chhattisgarh for the Period 2005-06 to 2009-10 revealed that all the eligible beneficiaries could not be covered under the scheme due to inadequate surveys, improper planning, non-availability of adequate project staff and lack of monitoring and supervision. Serious deficiencies were noticed in implementation of other components of the scheme such as referral services and growth monitoring. Implementation of the scheme also got affected due to poor infrastructural facilities such as non-availability of buildings for Anganwadi centres, drinking water and toilets. There were considerable delays in completion of Anganwadi centre buildings. Mani audit findings are summarised below: 1. Funds released for Supplementary Nutrition ranging between Rs 15.11 crore and Rs 132.61 crore remained unutilised due to inadequate surveys and improper assessment of eligible beneficiaries. 2. Inclusion of ineligible beneficiaries for the Supplementary Nutrition Programme resulted in avoidable expenditure of Rs 11.07 crore. 3. Issue of rice without verification of available stock and non-reconciliation of stock position led to accumulation of 2045.13 MT rice with the agencies in six test-checked projects. 4. Government of India funds amounting to Rs 5.96 crore for diarrhoea, deworming and skin diseases of children remained unutilised due to non supply of medicine kits to the Anganwadi centres. 5. Even after 35 years of implementation of the scheme, the infant mortality rate remained at 57 per 1000 live births as against the all India figure of 53. Similarly, the percentage of malnourished children stood at 51.31 as compared to the national percentage of 42.50. 6. Funds amounting to E 42.74 lakh for developing learning attitudes and values for emotional and mental preparation of children before primary education remained unutilised due to non-procurement of preschool education kits. 7. There were considerable delays, ranging from three to eight years in construction of Anganwadi Centres.
Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Jharkhand (2005-2010)
(CAG of India, 29-08-2011) CAG of India
The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), a Centrally sponsored scheme, was launched in the State with a view to improve the nutritional and health status ofchildren in the age group ofup to sixyears and to enhance the capability of mothers, through proper nutrition and health education, for looking after the normal health and nutritional needs of children. The implementation of the scheme suffered in Jharkhand due to deficient fund management, lack of infrastructure in Anganwadi centres, irregular and inadequate nutritional value of supplementary nutrition and failure to provide health check-ups and referral services. Following are the main audit findings: 1. During 2005-10, the department failed to utilise funds allotted for the scheme. The amount of unspent funds ranged between Rs 15.11 crore and Rs 63.36 crore. 2. Abstract Contingent bills amounting to Rs 446.32 crore were drawn under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme against which Detailed Contingent bills of Rs 293.53 crore only were submitted. 3. District Social Welfare Officers and Child Development Project Officers advanced Rs 32.01 crore and booked the same as final expenditure. 4. Beneficiaries were provided supplementary nutrition of lesser value than the norms prescribed. 5. Pre-natal and post-natal cards were not issued to mothers by the Anganwadi centres and no records of visits by Anganwadi Workers to mothers after delivery were maintained. 6. Despite allocation of funds of z 9.44 crore, the department failed to purchase medicine kits and pre-school kits during 2005-10. 7. Against the 23 Anganwadi Training Centres and one Middle Level Training Centre sanctioned, only 15 Anganwadi Training Centres were functional as of March 2010.
Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Chhattisgarh (2014-2019)
(CAG of India, 30-07-2021) CAG of India
Performance audit of implementation of ICDS scheme revealed that supplementary nutrition was not provided to 30.72 lakh children (out of 135.42 lakh) of the age group of 0-6 years and 3.81 lakh pregnant and lactating mothers (out of 26.13 lakh) during the period 2014-15 to 2018-2019. There was a gradual decline in the actual number of beneficiaries of the scheme over the years during the audit period. Aadhaar seeding of both beneficiaries and Anganwadi workers/ helpers was not yet fully achieved, despite sanction of funds by the GoI. Department was not able to ensure quality of meals as envisaged in the scheme guidelines, due to delays in sending the samples or non-receipt of Ready to Eat (RTE) food packet’s test reports from the laboratories, and deviation in the tolerance limits in nutritional value from National Food Security Act (NFSA) standards. Early Childhood Care and Education curriculum was implemented with delay of more than two years and medicine kits for Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) were not procured. Availability of infrastructure and equipment in AWCs was deficient vis-à-vis norms and lack of basic facilities, such as drinking water, toilet, playing area, store room, ramp, electricity, cooking and feeding utensils, equipment for cooking, essential drugs and material for monitoring health severely constrained the functioning of the AWCs. Only 37,407 AWCs were operating from dedicated buildings with delays in completing the construction of buildings of 5,915 AWCs and non-use of 1,487 AWC buildings due to dilapidated conditions and long distance from the habitations. Monitoring of AWCs was poor as was evident from acute shortfall in field visits by Child Development Project Officers and Supervisors.
Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Assam (2009-2014)
(CAG of India, 31-03-2015) CAG of India
The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, launched in 1975 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, aims at holistic development of children up to six years of age, adolescent girls and pregnant and lactating mothers by providing a package of services. Apart from this, Government of India (GoI) introduced two more schemes viz., “Kishori Shakti Yojana (KSY)” and “Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls (NPAG)” in the years 2000 and 2002 respectively for implementation using ICDS infrastructure. Both the schemes were subsequently merged (2011) as “Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls SABLA” for improvement of nutritional and health status of adolescent girls in the age group of 11-18 years including up-gradation of their home based vocational skills and self development. The performance audit of these schemes in Assam was conducted covering period 2009-14. The audit revealed the following significant audit findings: 1. ICDS had not been universalised in the State as a number of the AWCs had not been made functional. Many SC/ST, OBC, Minority and Tea Garden areas were yet to be covered under the scheme. 2. Against GoI release of Rs 271.22 crore during 2011-14 for the construction of 15,000 AWCs, the department could complete the construction of 1,770 AWCs only (with an expenditure of Rs 29.21 crore). 3. The facilities provided at the AWCs were highly inadequate. None of the sampled AWCs had kitchens. Very few of them had functional toilets and access to drinking water. 4. There were short releases of State’s matching share of Rs 33.62 crore (2009-14) under ICDS (General) and Rs 15.36 crore (2010-14) under SABLA. 5. Cases of avoidable expenditure (of `8.43 crore) and excess expenditure (of Rs 3.48 crore) on procurement of ICDS materials and PSE kits respectively were noticed. Besides cases of excess payments of Rs 87.70 lakh and Rs 1.31 crore on procurement of ICDS materials and SNP foodstuff respectively were also noticed. 6. During 2010-11, 1.34 lakh beneficiaries under the hill districts of Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong were deprived of the intended benefit of supplementary Nutrition (SN) as the funds amounting to Rs 3.72 crore drawn by the directorate were not released. 7. SNP funds amounting to Rs 13.48 crore utilised in emergency for relief purposes remained unrecouped from Revenue Department depriving the benefits under SNP to the intended beneficiaries.
Performance Audit of Supplementary Nutrition Program under ICDS in Chhattisgarh (1997-2002)
(CAG of India, 2003) CAG of India
The Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) was launched to control protein calorie malnutrition in children below 6 years of age and expectant women and nursing mothers. Though the programme had been in operation since 1970-71, it suffered from a number of shortcomings in its implementation. Due to insufficient provision of funds and inadequate survey of beneficiaries, the percentage of coverage was 23 in Rural 16 in Urban and 28 in Tribal Project areas against the norm of 40 in rural and urban areas and 75 in tribal areas respectively. Supplementary Nutrition was required to be provided to the beneficiaries for a minimum of 300 days in a year, whereas it was not provided at all in 558 out of 19286 Anganwadis (AWs) and provided for less than 200 days in 4604 AWs during 2001-2002. The coverage of severely malnourished children was below seven per cent. The programme failed to achieve the objective of improving the health status of malnourished children, pregnant women and lactating mothers. Main audit findings are summarised below: 1. Thirty two per cent of allotments remained unutilised. 2. Against 23.45 lakh eligible children and mothers only 10.41 lakh could be covered. 3. 3 to 11 per cent Anganwadis did not distribute supplementary nutrition. 4. Rs. 8.97 lakh short realised from suppliers affected Anganwadis in processing the food. 5. Non-conversion of 30 Special Nutrition (feeding) Centres into Anganwadis resulted in avoidable expenditure of Rs.34.86 lakh. 6. Of Rs.12 crore released during 2001-02 under Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojna, Rs.7.73 crore remained unutilised.
Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Nagaland (2001-2006)
(CAG of India, 2007) CAG of India
The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, was launched in Nagaland in 1975. The ICDS scheme is also linked with nutrition component of Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana (PMGY) launched during 2000-01 as 100 per cent Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) with the objective of achieving sustainable human development at the village level. The PMGY envisaged an Additional Central Assistance (ACA) for various components of Basic Minimum Services including nutrition. The nutrition component of the PMGY had been specifically outlined with the objective of eradicating malnutrition amongst children below three years by supplementary feeding. In addition, the State is also implementing World Bank assisted ICDS training programme-Project UDISHA since April 1999 with a view to create awareness of ICDS activities to the various groups such as Village Council Members, Gaon Burahs and Women Organizations and to train the community as a whole to optimize their involvement in the scheme activities. CAG of India reviewed the implementation of ICDS in Nagaland covering the period 2001-02 to 2005-06 by undertaking test check of records in three out of 11 districts by applying the method of Probability Proportional to Size With Replacement. Anganwadi Centres in the sample districts were selected by using the method of Simple Random Sampling Without Replacement (SRSWR). Out of total expenditure of Rs.86.89 crore during 2001-02 to 2005-06, Rs. 54.50 crore (63 per cent) was covered in the Performance Audit. Audit Objectives: The main objectives of the performance audit were to examine • the method for identification of the target group; • the plan drawn up to achieve scheme objectives; • the survey for identification of malnourished children, pregnant and nursing mothers and other women in the 15-45 age group years; • the adequacy of training provided to the ICDS functionaries; and • the effectiveness of monitoring, evaluation and assessment of the scheme. The performance audit revealed the following main findings: As of March 2006, only 79 percent tribal population of the State could be covered under the ICDS scheme. 16 per cent children of the State in the under six years age group were yet to be covered under the scheme. The nutritional content of the foodstuff provided to the beneficiaries was not regularly tested in the recognized testing laboratory. Implementation of other components of the scheme such as immunisation, nutrition and health education, medical check-up and referral services as well as prevention of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency were virtually non-existent. The Government had entrusted the Nagaland University to conduct evaluation study of the scheme but no report was submitted by the University as of October 2006.