A Study on

Situational Analysis of PRIs Role in Implementing ICDS

Mission and Monitoring of the Programme

Odisha FORCES, Committee for Legal Aid to Poor, Bimaladevi Memorial Building,

Plot No. 367, Sector-6, Marakata Nagar, Cuttack – 753014, Odisha, India.

Phone: 91-671-2363980/2365680, Fax: 91-671-2363454

Email: info@clapindia.org,

Website: www.clapindia.org

Introduction: The Odisha FORCES conducted a study on analysis of role of PRIs in the

Implementation of ICDS Mission and Monitoring of the Programme in identified locations of Odisha

in the context of Restructuring of ICDS Scheme. It is pertinent to mention that the Ministry of

Women and Child Development,

Government of India has approved ICDS

Restructuring and Strengthening during 12th

Plan for which instructions were issued

during the year 2012. A redesigned package

of services has been introduced and to

improve the service delivery at the

grassroots level there is a provision of

additional human resource in 200 high

burden districts and link workers in ICDS. In

this process Panchayat institution are given due importance for participation and delivery of

services. Hence, the study focuses on the role of PRIs in the Restructuring of ICDS. In the process of

the collection of data the envisaged role for PRIs is going to be verified at the grassroots level.

Objective of the Study: The present study was undertaken with the following objectives:

i) To ascertain the role and participation of PRI members in ICDS mission in 15 Gram

Panchayats of 3 Blocks of 3 different Districts of Odisha.

ii) To identify the level of community demand for crèche cum Anganwadi in selected

locations of study.

Area Covered: - The study was conducted in 15 Panchayats of 3 Blocks of 3 different districts of

Odisha. These are given in the following table:

Districts Blocks Panchayats

Angul Kishorenagar 1.Nunukapasi

2.Handapa

3.Jamunali

4.Gaon Boinda

5.Kanteikulia

Cuttack Baramba 1.Maniabandha

2.Mahulia

3.Sanabarsingh

4.Badabarsingh

5. Kasikiary

Dhenkanal Hindol 1.Madhapur

2.Dandiri

3.Khaliborei

4.Nabakishorepur

5.Buhadipal

It is pertinent to mention that in course of study different geographical areas have been covered.

These Panchayat are situated in Forest area, Coastal area, Plane area and Hilly areas. People

belonging to SC, ST, OBC, General caste and minorities have been covered in this study.

Method Applied: In consultation

with the members of Odisha FORCES,

the study locations were selected.

For the purpose of study focus group

discussions were held with Sarpanch,

Members of Panchyat and different

women groups. On an average 15

participants attended each Focus

Group Discussion. The focus group

discussions were held based on a

structured questionnaire which has

two parts. Usually half day was

devoted for the study with the focus group in each of the locations covered. Initially the study team

approached Sarpanch of concerned Gram Panchayats. A detailed discussion was held with officials of

Gram Panchayat about the ICDS Mission. As per the suggestion of Sarpanch the participants for the

focus group discussion were invited and venue was decided. The study team used to brief the

participants about the ICDS Mission at the beginning of the discussion based on which the

discussions continued. The study team followed the structured questionnaire to ascertain the

situation and the practices. The opinion of the participants was recorded for tabulation. After the

study tabulation was undertaken to finalise the report.

This study covered 73,511 populations living in 14595 households’ in 15 gram Panchayats of 3 blocks

in three districts of Odisha

including Dhenkanal a high

burden district. We have

contacted 15-Sarapanchas

which includes 8-female and 7

male members. Among them 4-

nos of Sarapanchas belong to

SC/ST, 4-OBC and 7-General

Caste. We have discussed with

502 numbers of members

which includes 298 nos.

women committee members

and women panchayat members and 204 Gram Panchayat members (includes male and female).

Resolution: it is pertinent to mention that after thorough discussion with the representatives of PRIs

they have passed resolution to have AWC Cum Crèches in their respective Gram Panchayats. Written

requests with copy of resolution were collected from 6-nos. of Gram Panchayats. These 6-

Panchayats have authorised FORCES to make representation to appropriate authorities for action on

their resolution. The FORCES has undertaken the responsibility to advocate for AWC cum Crèches in

the identified locations.

Findings:

1. It is revealed from the study that the level of understanding about the present ICDS Mission

is almost absent among representative of PRIs. There is hardly any information supplied to

the Gram Panchayats about the restructuring and strengthening of ICDS. There is no role

clarity among Panchayat members under the new scheme. It was even not clear whether the

ICDS Mission is already implemented in their area or not. It was suggested that a formal

training on ICDS Mission to the members of the Panchayat would be helpful to build

knowledge.

2. Panchayat members and all women

belonging to different committees

are interested in having AWC Cum

Crèches in their locality. It was

widely held by the participants that

it will reduce the burden of working

women. It is viewed that as a result

of such services working women will

get motivation to work, it will

increase their income by which their

purchasing power will increase and ultimately it will contribute to the development of the

child. Child will be in the safe hand of a care taker, it will give confidence to the mother.

Mother can feed timely.

3. There is no coordination between the ICDS project staff and the Panchayat functionaries as

both are working in isolation and hardly involved in each other’s activities. It was revealed

that apart from appointment of a ward member in the Monitoring Committee the Panchayat

functionaries have no other role to play. In fact there is no priority among PRIs in improving

quality of services other than building and food.

4. Most of the AWC under ICDS in the Panchayats do not have buildings, latrines and sanitation

facility. Presently Anganwadi Centers are running in School building, community centers,

rented houses and open spaces. In some cases more than two Anganwadi centers are lodged

in one small room in a school.

5. Safe Drinking water is a dream for the AWC children. Only public tube-well is used by these

children wherever it is available in the vicinity.

6. Untouchability prevails in some Panchayats. It was found during the study that a Lady

sarpanch herself is the victim of such social practice. Even the Anganwadi Worker was not

ready to sit with the lady sarpanch as she belongs to a lower caste which was noticed during

focus group discussion.

7. Most of the women in these Panchayats are conscious enough towards their elder

daughter’s education. Now they are not allowing them to take care of their peer at the cost

of their education.

8. Some children are deprived of ICDS services due to reasons like in some cases the High way

passes through the village and the Centre for which it is difficult for parents and children to

access those centres. Similarly, Rail way Level Crossing in some of the Panchayats cause

concern for the villagers for which they are not sending their children to the centre.

Point wise analysis of Data:

1. Out of total covered area it was found that there are GPs With 2 Villages- 2 nos, GPs with 4

villages – 2 nos and GPs with more

than 4 villages are 11. Thus the study

reveals that the smallest panchayat

has two villages within its jurisdiction

whereas the largest GP has 11-villages.

2. All the GPs under study have more

than 3 AWCs with a maximum of 10

AWCs.

3. It is revealed from the study that all

most all the GPs discuss in their

Panchayat meetings about issues of

AWC building, Social Security Schemes, Road and Village ponds. Other than the

infrastructure for Anganwadi Centre in the form of housing no other issues are discussed.

4. Out of 15 GPs 11 GPs discuss about issues relating to children which comes to 73% of total

GPs. So far as building and food is concerned almost all GPs expressed that they discuss this

matter.

5. Out of 15 GPs 11 GPs discuss with other women groups, which comes to 73%.

6. Even the high burden district which have been included in the first phase of the ICDS

Mission GP members are not aware of Restructuring of ICDS/ICDS Mission. Ie. Dhenkanal

district.

7. Only three GPs knew about the holistic development of a child and other 12 GPs are not

clear about these development.

8. Honestly speaking almost all the Panchayat members are in favour of training in ECCD.

9. 60% GPs i.e. 9 out of 15 GPs mentioned that they feel they have a role in AWC/ICDS.

10. All GP members know that they have a role in monitoring of Anganwadi Centre as one

member of the Panchayat represents in the AWC monitoring committee but they are not

sure about the exact role to be played in the process of monitoring.

11. Out of 15 GPs 14 want additional AWC /Mini AWC in their areas. It comes to 93 % GPs are in

need of AWC/Mini AWC in

their localities.

12. 27% of Panchayats covered

under the study reported

cases of girls not attending

school on the pretext of

child care. It includes a

Panchayaty which belongs

to high burden district of

Dhenkanal.

13. It was revealed from the

study that 100%

Panchayats are demanding AWC cum Crèches. In course of expressing their opinion about

the need for AWC cum Crèches, Six numbers of Panchayats have given a copy of resolution

passed in their Panchayat meeting demanding Anganwadi cum Crèche.

14. Panchayat do not have any major role with the village based Committees except

coordination as Panchayats do not have any priority to work with these committees.

15. 45% Panchayats agreed that they get feedback from CBOs/Village committees. That to

revolves around AWC building and food.

16. 7 Panchayats involved in follow up activities of AWC which comes to 45%

17. 12 Panchayats in supervision of AWCs which comes to 80%

18. Out of 15 Panchayats 10 are satisfied, 2 are partly satisfied and 3 are not at all satisfied with

the functioning of AWC.

19. Reason for not satisfied are low performance and lack of coordination.

20. 93% of Panchayats given recommendation to Government/Department regarding

improvement of ICDS.

21. 100% demands for AWC building, Latrine and sanitation.

22. Out of 15 Panchayats only one Panchayat thinking of micro planning for AWC. In Cuttack

district.

23. All the 15 Panchayats reporting on problems/challenges faced by the women and young

children that is 100% Panchayats are aware of these problems.

24. These problems are Crèches, Market for their products, Minor forest produce, Health and

Employment.

25. Only 40% Panchayats knew

about the knowledge on

facilities required for children

with special needs( disabled

child)

26. 40% of the Panchayats

receive migrants with

children and they avail only

health facilities and not AWC

and crèche. It comes to 40%

Panchayats.

27. Only 4 Panchayats reported on Services of ICDS that need attention because all other

Panchayat members do not knew the services provided by ICDS.

28. All the services need attention and proper implementation.

29. 100% all the Panchayats face problems.

30. Finance, Staff, Cooperation and coordination are the major problems of Gram Panchayats

where we have made our studied.

31. So far food quality is concern only 5 Panchayats have said good and remaining 10

Panchayats ranked it as average. That means ¾ Panchayat’s children get average quality of

food in AWCs.

32. AWCs are not getting medical kits in Odisha as we have observed during our study. Only

ASHAs are receiving Medical Kits which are also not sufficient.

33. Referral services are good in 9 Panchayats, Average in 5 Panchayats but not so good in one

Panchayat. 60% Good, 33% average and 7% not so good

34. Pre-school education is good in 9 Panchayats, Average in 5 and not so good in one

Panchayat. 60% Good. 60% Good, 33% average and 7% not so good

35. Maintaining timing for 6 hours 8 Panchayat said good, 6 Panchayat assed as average one

found not so good that means 53% good, 40% as average and 7% not so good

36. Regular attendance of AWW was assed as good by 8 Panchayats, 7 Panchayats were said it is

average. That means 53% good and 47% average.

37. It is surprising to note that in the High Burden District of Dhenkanal out of 5 Panchayats

only one has two buildings out of 5 AWCs and 4 other Panchayats do not have buildings

for their AWCs.

38. Out of 15 Panchayats where we have our study find that 7 Panchayats do not have building

at all, remaining 8 Panchayats have 17 buildings for 29 AWCs. It is pertinent to say that even

5 classes are lodged in one room in some Panchayats.

39. For safe drinking water AWC children depend on public tube wells and Latrine for these

children are still a dream.