CAG report flags lapses in Integrated Child Development Services in T.N.

The CAG pulled up the department for delay in relocating Anganwadi Centres, discrepancies in data of beneficiaries registered on the app and lack of basic infrastructure.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has found several deficiencies in the functioning of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) under the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment department.

In its report tabled in the Assembly on Tuesday, CAG pulled up the department for delay in relocating Anganwadi Centres, discrepancies in data of beneficiaries registered in the apps, lack of basic infrastructure and vacancies in Anganwadi centres.

The CAG’s compliance audit on Integrated Child Development Services in the State during 2021- 2023, found that though the Union government had called for a rationalising exercise of the Anganwadi centres in 2014, but the State only directed so in 2021.

“The delay of eight years in rationalising or relocating Anganwadi centres defeated the objective of covering all areas under ICDS,” the audit said and recommended that the government should monitor the effective implementation of relocation of the Anganwadis in a time bound manner with emphasis on uncovered areas.

The audit also found that there were discrepancies in the data of total number of beneficiaries in TN ICDS which is maintained by the State government, the Poshan Tracker maintained by the Centre, and Monthly Progress Reports. These inaccuracies led to inconsistencies in the data relied upon to monitor the implementation of the scheme, the audit said.

The CAG observed that there was lack of basic infrastructure such as a separate kitchen, water facility, toilets, playing area in the 77 sampled Anganwadi centres across Tamil Nadu. The State had replied that all possible measures are being taken up, to provide the basic facilities to the Anganwadis in a phased manner and the District Collectors have been instructed to visit the AWCs regularly.

The audit noted that due to the existence of vacancies, Anganwadi workers are holding additional charge of other centres. Replying to a question on the high vacancies, the State said “Speedy action will be taken to fill up the vacancies at the earliest.”

Under ICDS, weaning food is provided to antenatal women, postnatal mothers and children in the age group of six months to six years. The audit observed that the composition of food was short of prescribed nutrient and energy requirements as testing was not conducted.

Other measures

The audit also noted that there was a lack of coordination with line departments and delays in construction of buildings of Anganwadi centres as out of 3,503 buildings sanctioned during 2019-2023, 273 buildings were pending completion as of April 2024. It also pointed out that there was a shortage in enrolment of beneficiaries aged between three to six years under Supplementary Nutrition Programme and related Pre-school Education activities. Monitoring and Review Committee meetings were not conducted and there was a shortfall in supervision by Integrated Child Development Service functionaries, the audit also added. It also stressed that there was a need for a robust and user-friendly grievance redressal system in the State.