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.