Avoidable rent of Rs1.66 cr paid for anganwadi centres: Audit report

Dushyant Singh Pundir

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 7

Three project officers of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme had released more than Rs 1.66 crore rent towards anganwadi centres during the period of 2018-19 to 2022-23 in the city, which could have been avoided, pointed out an audit report.

According to the report obtained under the RTI Act, the ICDS scheme was launched to improve the nutritional and health status of children in age group of 0-6 years, to reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout, and to enhance the capability of the mother to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education.

As per “Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0”, states/UTs shall continue to tap funds for construction of anganwadi centres from various government schemes and involve individuals, companies, business houses and institutions of repute and CSR funds for the construction of anganwadi centres purely on a public welfare basis without any obligation. The states/UTs shall relocate those anganwadi centres which are running on rent and without sufficient infrastructure to nearby government primary schools.

According to the audit report, during the scrutiny of records of project officer-I, ICDS Cell, UT, it was noticed that there was a total of 450 anganwadi centres, of which most were running from rented accommodation.

The report mentioned that the project officer-I released Rs 56.96 lakh on account of rent in contravention of guidelines of Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. Under the scheme, the officer should co-locate/relocate those anganwadi centres, which were running on rent and without sufficient infrastructure to nearby government primary schools or government building charging no rent. “It has resulted in an avoidable rent payment on account of rented agwanwari centres of Rs 56.96 lakh,” stated the report.

On being pointed out in audit, the department replied that the matter would again be brought to the notice of higher authorities.

Similarly, during checking of records of project officer-II, it was noticed that there were a total of 150 of anganwadi centres, of which most were running on rented properties. The officer paid Rs 66.25 lakh on account of rent in contravention of the guidelines and it has resulted in avoidable rent of Rs 66.25 lakh.

Also, during checking of records of project officer-III, it was noticed that there were a total of 150 angwanwadi centres. There also most of the centres were running from rented premises. The officer paid Rs 43.32 lakh on account of rent.

The report also pointed out irregular procurement of “poshan laddoos”.

During checking of records of the project officer-III for the period of 2028-23, it was noticed that a three-member committee was constituted to explore the source of supply of material under the Prime Minister’s Poshak Laddoo scheme initially for ICDS beneficiaries like for nearly 9,319 pregnant women and lactating mothers, and an expenditure of Rs 35.24 lakh was met from the state budget. The ICDS contacted the Model Jail, CITCO, CIHM, Chandigarh, and the order for procuring laddoos was given to the CIHM without adopting the procedure. It was noticed in the audit report that bids were not invited at online portal. Due to this, competitive rates for poshak laddoo could not be obtained. The tender process for procurement of laddoos was irregular,” pointed out the report.

“Recently, the UT Home Department has pointed out that they are on the last stage of working out a mechanism to monitor the audit objections, but nothing happened so far,” said RK Garg, an RTI activist.

Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 norms

As per “Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0”, states/UTs shall continue to tap funds for construction of anganwadi centres from various government schemes and involve individuals, companies, business houses and institutions of repute and CSR funds for the construction of anganwadi centres purely on a public welfare basis without any obligation. The states/UTs shall relocate those anganwadi centres which are running on rent and without sufficient infrastructure to nearby government primary schools.