Madhusmita Chowdhury
A study was done by North-Eastern Social Research Centre Guwahati in four blocks of Urban Shillong, Mawphlang, Samanda and Songsak on the functioning of the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in Meghalaya. ICDS is a centrally sponsored scheme designed to reach the poor and disadvantaged sections of society. But its success depends both on the structure of the society and those who implement the scheme. The project has some good points but shortcomings were found in budgetary allocation, implementation and the social setting.
The study shows that the implementation of ICDS is not up to the mark. However, on many points it has made a positive difference to the people. The Rapid Survey on Children 2013-14 showed reduction in malnourishment and stunting essentially because of ICDS and the National Rural Health Mission . Under ICDS, convergence with the health department is a savior to many rural people. Even in the absence of the Anganwadi workers, the Accredited Social Health Activists accompanies the patients to the hospital or provides them with medicines. With the coming of AWCs, there is greater awareness of immunization. Today, almost all the parents in the rural areas immunize their children. The food provided at the AWCs is the main attraction because poor children get at least some food. The AW workers are appreciated for their contribution and willingness to work. Also, convergence of the Village Level Coordinating Committee, Anganwadi workers and the parents creates a vibrant environment for learning .People come together at the AWCs, interact and generate new ideas.
Therefore, it is imperative to ensure good functioning of the AWCs. That is where problems arise. Firstly expenditure on the scheme is lower than the budgetary provision from 2011-12 to 2014-15 except in 2013-14. So it is crucial to understand if the funds were utilized properly and whether there was proper monitoring. The study shows that Urban Shillong and Mawphlang in East Khasi Hills have more AWCs than Samanda and Songsak Blocks in East Garo Hills. In March 2015, Mawphlang has more AWCs but average expenditure per centre is less than in Urban Shillong. Though Songsak has more AWCs than Samanda, its average expenditure per AWC is lower than in Samanda. Thus, though the objective of ICDS is to serve the neglected and poor areas, in practice it seems to favour the urban areas.
For proper implementation of the scheme it is pertinent to understand the structural problems. The major problem in the functioning of AWCs is lack of infrastructural facilities, unrepaired buildings, lack of drinking water and toilets, inadequate utensils. The second is lack of access of people living in remote areas. They have to cover quite some distance on foot to reach the AWCs. Children like variety of food but there is monotony. In some AWCs preschools are not held regularly. Inadequate teaching aids hinder their learning process. Some AWCs have no fixed timings. Suppliers are supposed to supply on quarterly basis. But in some centers supplies are irregular. Suppliers refuse to go to remote areas so the village community is forced to spend money to get the supplies to the village. Lack of willingness of parents to attend meetings held at the AWC prevents them from enjoying the fruits of this scheme. One of the crucial problems is low honoraria of the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers .The AWWs and AWHs are supposed to get monthly honorarium of Rs 3,000 and Rs 1,500 respectively. But their payments are irregular and very low. That affects their morale. Officers do not go for field visits to remote areas. So monitoring is lacking. Provision is made for own buildings but they are not built.
The need of the hour is to make strategies for strengthening this scheme so that its benefit reaches the needy and poor. This can be possible if the Central Government ensures proper facilities such as drinking water, toilets, adequate utensils, and fuel. Since Supplementary Nutrition is the main attraction increase in the nutritional level of food items would attract the beneficiaries even more. Preschools should be held regularly and teaching aids should be provided adequately. Access should be ensured by having the centre where people are. Parents must be mobilized to send their children to the centers. Regular payment of workers’ honorarium is essential to motivate them to contribute better.
ICDS should also be understood in the context of various interconnecting institutions. The economy both of the Garo and the Khasi is based primarily on cultivation which does not provide them adequate income. Better facilities should be employed for improving agriculture. Sufficient alternatives in the economy would enable parents to devote quality time to their children. A conducive environment for exercising of political rights would have provided an impetus to the functioning of other institutions which would have helped in efficient functioning of the scheme. For successful implementation of ICDS in Sixth Schedule areas, it is indispensable for us to look at the fund flow at various levels, followed by proper monitoring of the AWCs. For better monitoring of AWCs in far flung areas, access needs to be taken care of to check if the AWCs are functioning well. The irony is that the ICDS is programmed to reach the disadvantaged people but what is seen in reality is that the remote places lack monitoring. Children neglected today will again create the vicious circle of ignorance and backwardness tomorrow. Therefore, it is high time to make efficient and workable strategies for smooth functioning of ICDS. In 2015-2016, the Union Budget has cut down allocation for ICDS programme by more than 50 percent. This would further deteriorate the conditions in the sixth schedule areas. Instead, proper monitoring from top to bottom level would ensure better functioning of the AWCs.
Knowing the poor socio economic conditions of people, it is high time that the Central Government made necessary provisions to understand the real problems and explore the potential areas of development. At the same time cultural and social aspects should be taken care of so that people of all cultural backgrounds live in harmony. Development in this area is impossible without developing new technologies and ideas meant for the local people. But there should not be reckless exploitation of resources. Meghalaya has immense natural resources which should be used judiciously. Fertility of land should be improved so that crops are produced in large scale both for subsistence and trade. Local self-help groups can be involved in fisheries and animal husbandry. Sustainable use of resources would not only generate revenue for development but also create more employment opportunities .ICDS has to be linked to these development policies that support the people at the grassroots. The local community will then take care of ICDS and ensure its success.
The author is Research Associate at North-Eastern Social Research Centre, Guwahati