Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)

URI for this collection

https://resourcerepository.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/handle/apurr/89

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 29

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 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 Rajasthan (2003-2008)
(CAG of India, 2009) CAG of India
The ‘Integrated Child Development Services’ (ICDS) Scheme is a Centrally sponsored scheme meant for delivery of health services, nutrition and education to expectant and lactating mothers, adolescent girls and children in the age group of 0-6 years. The implementation of the scheme in Rajasthan suffered from several deficiencies such as, underutilisation of funds, non-creation of required infrastructure and large scale vacancies of ICDS functionaries. Besides, nutritional support could not be provided to large number of identified beneficiaries. Main audit findings are given below: 1. Against the original budget provision of Rs 1,641.74 crore for the period 2003-08, savings amounted to Rs 238.31 crore. The saving ranged upto to 30 per cent. A sum of Rs 1.15 crore was lying unutilised in Personal Deposit account for two years. 2. Due to delay in responding to Government of India proposal, State Government could not avail Central assistance of Rs 0.94 crore for construction of 100 Anganwadi Center buildings. 3. The benefit of supplementary nutrition was extended to 40 to 42 per cent children in tribal areas and only 29 to 35 per cent children in other rural areas. 4. The State Level Co-ordination Committee for monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the scheme though constituted, no meetings were held since October 2002. Three out of seven districts test checked did not have any District Level Co-ordination Committee to monitor the ICDS activities.
Performance Audit of integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Meghalaya (2003-2008)
(CAG of India, 2009) CAG of India
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, launched in 1975-76 by the GOI aimed at improving the nutritional and health standard of children in the age group up to six years of age and enhancing the capability of mothers to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of their children. Performance audit of implementation of this scheme in Meghalaya revealed that the State was able to achieve the envisaged objectives only to a limited extent. Performance review of the scheme revealed shortfall in implementing various components of the scheme. Though the quantity of the foodstuff provided was as per the norms, the nutritive value of the food was not ensured. Health check-up was not provided to the desired extent and inadequate infrastructure and lack of supervision further affected the working of anganwadis. Some highlights of this performance audit are as presented below: 1. The Department failed to provide supplementary nutrition to 40 to 83 thousand children of 0-6 years age during 2003-08. 2. In the ICDS Project, Rongram, poor quality of milk powder and ready to eat food was distributed to 4,081 children and 736 pregnant/ lactating mothers, thereby adversely affecting their health. 3. There was a shortfall in administering different vaccines to the children and women. 4. The Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls was not implemented by the Department despite the release of Rs. 49.36 lakh by the GOI. 5. There was a shortfall in coverage of rural children and mothers by the anganwadi centres by 13 per cent. 6. Around 4.48 lakh rural populace of the State were deprived of the benefit of anganwadi centres due to non-construction of 1,492 centres.
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 Bihar (2002-2007)
(CAG of India, 2008) CAG of India
The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, a central scheme was meant to deliver nutrition, education and health services, to children in the age group up to six years and enhance the capability of mothers through proper nutrition and health education. The implementation of the scheme in the State suffered from several deficiencies such as lack of planning, poor implementation of Supplementary Nutrition Programme, lack of infrastructure in Aganwadi centres (AWCs), failure to provide health check up and referral services. Main audit findings are summarised below: 1. There was no correlation between budget provision and number of functional Anganwadi centres. Budget preparation of the department was not realistic. 2. The GOI sanctioned 80302 AWCs against the requirement of 82833 but 60153 AWCs were operationalised as of July 2007. In test-checked projects, 97 per cent AWCs were running without toilet, drinking water facilities and 43 per cent were functioning in huts. 3. In test-checked CDPOs, rental payment of Rs 2.82 crore was transferred either in the bank accounts of sevikas or advanced to clerks instead of making direct payment to house owners. 4. Against target of 620 AWCs in 13 test-checked districts, only one AWC could be constructed up to August 2007 despite provision of Rs 8.29 crore (April- June 2005) to the District Magistrates. 5. No AWC provided nutritional support beyond 225 days as against requirement of 300 days during 2002-07. There was no evidence of distribution of take home ration. Nutri-candies provided to beneficiaries were found of sub standard quality. 6. Records relating to immunization, health cards, referral services, pre natal and post natal services, growth chart were not maintained at AWCs level. Medicine kits and Pre-school Education Kits were not supplied to AWCs as per ICDS norms. 7. Committees constituted to monitor the programme were non-functional and minutes of meetings and decisions taken were not available. Monitoring was almost negligible and 73 per cent AWCs visited were found closed during joint inspection.
Performance Audit of Supplementary Nutrition Program under ICDS in Assam (2002-2007)
(CAG of India, 2008) CAG of India
The problem of malnutrition amongst children in Assam is being addressed through Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP), a constituent component of a package of services under ICDS. A performance review of the “Nutrition Programme under ICDS” revealed the following shortcomings: 1. The State Government did not provide funds for Supplementary Nutrition Programme from 2002-03 to 2004-05. The Additional Central Assistance of Rs. 135.86 crore for nutrition meant exclusively for children below 3 years was diverted for providing nutrition for all groups of beneficiaries. 2. Performance of the SNP in terms of nutritional supplementation vis-à-vis prescribed feeding days was grossly inadequate. Poor delivery of nutrition supplementation at only 21-29 percent (calories) and 24 to 33 percent (protein) negated the programme objectives. 3. The programme implementation remained disappointing, often being handicapped by long spells of non-feeding days, inequality in allotment of nutritious food, diversion of allotment of foodstuffs without compensatory replacement and expenditure in excess of norms. 4. RTE weighing 2,32,708 kgs valued at Rs.86.10 lakh were diverted without corresponding compensatory replacements thereby depriving 1,99,020 beneficiaries of 46 projects of supplementary nutrition indicating lack of control in programme management. 5. Despite subsidized PDS (APL) rice being abundantly available, the Department procured SNP rice at higher rates resulting in avoidable expenditure of Rs. 11.69 crore. 6. Overlooking a cheaper rate for RTE offered by a manufacturer the Department procured the item at higher rate consecutively for three years by repeated extension of time of the contact resulting in an avoidable expenditure of Rs. 2.85 crore.
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 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 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 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 Odisha (2001-2006)
(CAG of India, 2007) CAG of India
The “Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme” is a Central Plan scheme meant for delivery of health services, nutrition and education to children in the age group of 0-6 years and expectant and lactating mothers. The implementation of the scheme in the State for the period 2001-06 suffered from several deficiencies such as inadequate planning, loss of central assistance due to low spending, non-operation of required number of Anganwadi Centres (AWCs), large scale vacancies in the posts of ICDS functionaries, lack of proper accommodation and basic amenities in AWCs. Besides, nutritional support could not be provided to all eligible beneficiaries due to inadequate budget provision. The prevalence of severe mal-nourishment among children persisted at around five per cent throughout the period during 2001-06 despite intervention through different packages of the scheme. Against the budget provision of Rs 607.03 crore for the period 2001-06 under the Central Plan, savings amounted to Rs 132.16 crore. Failure in utilising these GOI funds led to loss of central assistance of Rs 35.48 crore during the period. Out of the budget provision of Rs 337.23 crore for the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) under State Plan during 2001-06, the savings amounted to Rs 90.57 crore. The annul savings ranged from one to 43 per cent. Against the requirement of 40297 AWCs, 37480 AWCs were sanctioned for the State. However, only 34201 AWCs were actually functioning and of these drinking water facilities were not available in 21847 AWCs (64 per cent) and toilet facilities were almost non-existent in any of the AWCs. Out of an annual average of 33.12 lakh beneficiaries required to be covered under the supplementary nutrition programme, the coverage ranged between 13.60 lakh and 29.06 lakh during 2001-06. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of the State was 77 as of December 2004 which was much higher than the all India average of 58 and the percentage of severely malnourished children remained around five per cent throughout 2001-06. The State level Coordination Committee required for monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the scheme was not constituted. Two out of eight districts test checked did not have any District Level Co-ordination Committees to monitor the ICDS activities.
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 Punjab (2002-2007)
(CAG of India, 2008) CAG of India
Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services in Punjab for the period 2002-03 to 2006097 revealed that the Department failed in the areas of planning, co-ordination and monitoring of the nutrition programme. The funds were drawn in advance of requirements and kept outside Government accounts resulting in loss of interest Rs 7.93 lakh. The reconciliation of expenditure was not done. Expenditure was overstated by Rs 6.90 crore and utilisation certificates for Rs 39.28 crore were not furnished. Material costing Rs 39.47 lakh seized by Vigilance became unfit for human consumption due to its non-utilization within prescribed shelf life. Wheat and rice were not lifted from godowns denying benefit to 604709 beneficiaries. The overall shortfall in coverage of beneficiaries was between 32 and 85 per cent. Monitoring of the scheme was weak.
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 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 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 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 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 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.