Performance Audit of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Uttarakhand (2007-2012)

Abstract

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.