Kupwara, Dec 27: A social audit of the ICDS Project Kupwara under the Poshan Sector Deedikut was conducted on Saturday on the directions of the Deputy Commissioner Kupwara. The audit was held at the ICDS Centre Pazipora and covered Deedikut, Karihama, A&B service delivery.
The audit was conducted under the supervision of the Audit Officer from the CA&PD department. The audit team included concerned departmental officers, the ICDS supervisor, and local sarpanchs, Lumberdars. Around 300 local men and women participated and shared feedback during the proceedings.
People were encouraged to speak openly about the functioning of ICDS centres and the performance of workers. Locals appreciated the role of ICDS supervisor Raja Amin and her team of workers and helpers. They said children were receiving proper nutrition and pre schooling education at the centres. Beneficiaries expressed satisfaction with the services being provided under the Poshan scheme.
All official records related to the project were examined in detail. The audit team also visited several ICDS centres across three panchayats to verify ground level implementation. Both documentation and field functioning were found satisfactory.
The audit officer appreciated the overall performance of the project and its staff. During interaction with the audit team, ICDS helpers raised concerns regarding the non-payment of fuel charges used for cooking meals under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme.
They also highlighted issues related to freight charges for lifting rice and electricity charges for operating heat pillars installed at the centres. The helpers urged the government to resolve these issues at the earliest.
Local participants welcomed the social audit initiative and termed it an important step to ensure proper implementation of government schemes. A numberdar confirmed that nutrition was being distributed properly and children were receiving schooling at the centres. However, a key challenge highlighted was the lack of public support, with many parents not sending their children to the centres despite the availability of balanced diets and nutrition provided by the Central Government.
Workers said they often have to personally bring children to the centres. Anganwadi workers and helpers were praised for their dedication and timely delivery of services. Representatives from panchayats including Pazipora, Doodikoot, Pushwari, and Karihama stated that there were no complaints regarding ICDS services.
Officials informed that the social audit is being conducted across 11 ICDS projects in the entire Kupwara district. The audit process includes interaction with local residents, ex sarpanchs, and Lumberdars to assess benefits for children aged zero to six years, as well as services for pregnant and nursing women. People expressed overall satisfaction with the functioning of the ICDS centres