CHAPTER IV

EVALUATION OF ICDS PROGRAMME IN GOA.

This chapter includes the following sections.

4.1 - Introduction.

4.2 - Socio-economic profile of ICDS Programme beneficiaries of Goa.

4.3 - The Criteria for determining the success of ICDS Programme in Goa.

4.4 - Various other aspects about ICDS Programme of Goa.

4.5 - The Monitoring authority of ICDS Programme in Goa.

4.6 - Summary of conclusions.

4.1 INTRODUCTION

In the view of Elizabeth, K. E. (2002) the existing Child Welfare

Programmes include the various National Nutritional Supplementation

Programmes, the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), the ICDS Scheme

and the Child Survival and Safe Motherhood (CSSM) Programme. The

Minimum Needs Programme, the 20 Point Programme, the Integrated Rural

Development Programme, the Urban Basic Services for the Poor (UBSP), Adult

Literacy Mission and all projects aimed at environmental sanitation, safe water

supply and overall socio-economic advancement contribute directly or indirectly

to child survival and welfare.

117

The objectives of the ICDS are: (1) To improve the nutritional and health

status of children in the 0-6 age - group. (2) To lay the foundations for a proper

psychological, physical and social development of the child. (3) To reduce the

incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropouts. (4) To

achieve effective co-ordination of policy and implementation amongst the

various departments to promote child development and (4) To enhance the

capability of the mother to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of

the child by imparting proper nutrition and health education to her (Panse, G. A.

1979).

According to Geoghegan, M. (1979) it is in the following areas that much

of the specific action envisaged in the interest of children and adolescent has to

be concentrated. (1) Development of services of health, maternal and child

health, family planning, supply of potable water and environmental sanitation.

(2) Improved nutrition, especially for infants and young children and pregnant

and nursing mothers. (3) Development of human resources, including provision

of minimum educational opportunities for children, educational and vocational

preparation of adolescent boys and girls and expansion of opportunities for

absorbing adolescents and youth entering the labour market into productive work

and (4) Development of appropriate welfare services, community institutions

and voluntary agencies to provide, in particular, for the growth and development

of the young child. More generally, it will be necessary, to prepare citizens for

118

responsible parenthood and to develop skills and opportunities for gainful and

productive work for girls and women.

Presently the Directorate of Women and Child Development in Goa is

carrying out the work of ICDS Programme through its Director, Deputy

Director, Social Welfare Officer (SWO), Programme Officer (PO), Child

Development Project Officers (CDPOs), Supervisors (Mukhya Sevikas),

Anganwadi workers and helpers at the anganwadi centres. Besides this, various

other staff assists them in their functioning. An anganwadi worker heads one

group of ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) Programme

beneficiaries or one anganwadi. The ICDS Programme functions in all the 11

talukas of Goa and its services are extended to many rural areas of Goa. The

Central and State Government, funds the ICDS Programme in Goa, but all the

benefits do not reach the beneficiaries. Political pressures, inefficient

management, malpractices etc have come to light in Goa, which affect the

implementation of ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) Programme

in Goa. All this has hampered the development of women and children in rural

areas of Goa. Initially the ICDS Programme in Goa was solely fmanced by the

central government but now the ICDS Programme in Goa is partly financed by

the state government.

119

(i) TALUKA-WISE TOTAL NUMBER OF ANGANWADIS AND THE YEAR

OF COMMENCEMENT OF ICDS PROGRAMME IN DIFFERENT

TALUKAS OF GOA.

The following table shows the taluka-wise details of total number of

anganwadis and the year of commencement of ICDS Programme under different

talukas of Goa.

TABLE NO: 4.1.1 TABLE SHOWING TALUKA-WISE TOTAL NUMBER OF

ANGANWADIS AND THE YEAR OF COMMENCEMENT OF ICDS PROGRAMME IN DIFFERENT TALUKAS OF GOA.

TALUKAS YEAR OF COMMENCEMENT OF ICDS PROGRAMME

TOTAL NUMBER OF ANGANWADIS UNDER ICDS

Bicholim 1978 87 Pernem 1978-79 63 Sanguem 1980 60 Sattari 1981-82 82 Quepem 1982-83 66 Canacona 1982 44 Ponda 1983 119 Bardez 1983-84 132 S alcete 1986 170 Tiswadi 1986 90 Mormugao 1988-89 91

Source: ICDS Offices at the taluka level.

From the table it is clear that the ICDS Programme commenced in Goa in

Bicholim taluka in 1978. A total of 1004 anganwadis exist under the ICDS

Scheme in Goa. An Anganwadi is allocated for a population of 1,000 people and

a minimum of 25 children can be enrolled under an anganwadi. A panel

consisting of a CDPO, Programme officer, doctor from a health centre and the

BDO (Block Development Officer) selects an Anganwadi worker. An

Anganwadi worker is normally required to work from 8 a.m. to 12. 45 noon.

4.2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF ICDS PROGRAMME

BENEFICIARIES OF GOA.

The second section i.e. socio-economic profile of the ICDS Programme

beneficiaries of Goa encompasses the following aspects:

(i) Age-group of the ICDS beneficiaries, annual family income of the

beneficiaries, caste and religion.

(ii) Educational qualification of parents.

(i) AGE-GROUP, ANNUAL FAMILY INCOME, CASTE AND RELIGION OF THE

BENEFICIARIES OF ICDS PROGRAMME IN GOA

The socio-economic profile of the ICDS Programme beneficiaries in Goa,

helps us to know the economic and social status of the beneficiaries. In the view

of Mahajan, N. (1993) ICDS has made a good beginning and has many positive

features as it has broken the barriers and is delivering services to the socio-

121

economically weaker sections.

George, P. S. (2001) is of the view that, inspite of limitations of ICDS, it

is worth noting that most of the ICDS beneficiaries belong to deprived socio-

economic groups. The socio-economic profile of the ICDS beneficiaries of Goa

also helps in arriving at various conclusions. A total of 429 parents of the

beneficiaries (children) of ICDS registered under the anganwadis of Goa were

interviewed which included 217 parents of the ICDS beneficiaries from North

Goa and 212 parents of the ICDS beneficiaries from South Goa.

The following table no 4.2.1 shows the age-group, annual family income,

caste and religion of the beneficiaries attending the anganwadis of Goa under the

ICDS scheme.

122

TABLE NO: 4.2.1

TABLE SHOWING AGE-GROUP, ANNUAL FAMILY INCOME, CASTE AND RELIGION OF THE BENEFICIARIES OF ICDS PROGRAMME IN GOA

AGE-GROUP, ANNUAL FAMILY INCOME, CASTE,

AND RELIGION NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES (%)

North Goa South Goa Total AGE-GROUP (Years)

1 to 2 02 (0.4 6) 04 (0.93) 06 (1.39) 2 to 3 59 (13.75) 22 (5.12) 81 (18.88) 3 to 4 72 (16.78) 67 (15.61) 139 (32.40) 4 to 5 63 (14.68) 93 (21.67) 156 (36.36) 5 to 6 21 (4.89) 26 (6.06) 47 (10.95)

ANNUAL FAMILY INCOME (Rs)

Less than 5,000 138 (32.16) 29 (6.75)

158 (36.82) 33 . (7.69)

296 (68.99) 62 (14.45) 16 (3.72)

5,000 to 10,000 10,000 to 15,000 13 (3.03) 03 (0.69) 15,000 to 20,000 20 (4.66) 09 (2.09) 29 (6.75) 20,000 to 25,000 11 (2.56) 11 (2.56) 25,000 to 30,000 02 (0.4 6) - 02 (0.46) 30,000 to 35,000 03 (0.69)) - 03 (0.69) 35,000 to 40,000 01 (0.23) 01 (0.23) 02 (0.46) 40,000 and above 02 (0.46) 0 (0.46)

No work - 06 (1.39) 06 (1.39) CASTE

SC 07 (1.63) 06 (1.39) 13 (3.03) ST - 05 (1.16) 05 (1.16)

OBC 23 (5.36) 132 (30.76) 155 (36.13) General 187 (43.58) 69 (16.08) 256 (59.67)

RELIGION Hindu 217 (50.58) 178 (41.49) 395 (92.07)

Muslim 30 (4.99) 30 (6.99) Christian - 04 (0.93) 04 (0.93)

Source: Field survey

It is seen from table no 4.2.1 that in Goa, all the beneficiaries of ICDS

Programme attending the anganwadis are within the prescribed age limit. It

shows that precautions are taken in Goa to see that the children from the wrong

age group do not take the benefits of ICDS Programme. The majority of the

123

ICDS Programme beneficiaries belong to the age group of 4 to 5 years. No

beneficiaries belong to the age group of 0 — 1 year probably because they are

infants and need a lot of care from the mothers.

The same table also shows that majority of the ICDS Programme

beneficiaries have an annual family income of less than Rs. 5,000. It also shows

that majority of the families of the ICDS beneficiaries attending the anganwadis

are living below the poverty line. We conclude from this that the benefits of the

ICDS Programme in Goa are going to very poor people of Goa coming from a

poor economic background.

It is also seen from the table that majority i.e 59.67% of the ICDS

Programme beneficiaries in Goa as seen in this study belong to the general

category which includes 43.58% beneficiaries from North Goa and 16.08%

beneficiaries from South Goa. Around 3.03 % of the 1CDS beneficiaries

attending the anganwadis in Goa are SC and 1.16% are ST. The beneficiaries

belonging to the general category also take advantage of this programme in Goa.

Around 5.36% of the beneficiaries belonging to the other backward category are

from North Goa and 30.76% from South Goa.

We can infer that not only the SC, ST and OBC benefits from the ICDS

scheme in Goa, but majority of the beneficiaries attending the anganwadis are

124

from the general category i.e 59.67%. The ICDS Programme in Goa caters to all

castes and categories in Goa.

As seen from table no 4.2.1 it is obvious that majority i.e. 92.07% of the

ICDS beneficiaries in Goa are hindus whereas 6.99% are muslims whereas 0.93

% are christians. It shows that people of all religions have taken the benefits of

this programme in Goa. Majority of the beneficiaries attending the anganwadis

are hindus, this is probably because the hindu population is more in Goa.

The main findings from table no 4.2.1 are as follows.

(1) All the beneficiaries (children) attending the anganwadis in Goa were within

the prescribed age-limit of the ICDS Programme.

(2) The majority of the beneficiaries (children) attending the anganwadis in Goa

come from low- income groups and are poor.

(3) Under the anganwadis of Goa 3.03% of the children beneficiaries are SC,

1.16% are ST, 36.13% are OBC and 59.67% belong to the general category.

(4) It is seen that 92.07% of the children beneficiaries attending the anganwadis

of Goa were Hindus, 6.99% were Muslims and 0.93% were Christians.

The main conclusions drawn from the findings are as follows.

(1) Children from the wrong age-groups have not taken the benefits of the

anganwadis under the ICDS Programme in Goa.

125

(2) The majority of the children beneficiaries attending the anganwadis in Goa

come from poor economic backgrounds.

(3) In Goa the children beneficiaries attending the anganwadis not only come

from SC, ST, OBC families, but majority of the beneficiaries belong to the

general category.

(4) In Goa majority of the children beneficiaries attending the anganwadis were

Hindus, which is probably due to a higher percentage of Hindu population in

Goa.

(ii) EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION OF THE PARENTS OF THE ICDS

BENEFICIARIES OF GOA.

The educational qualification of the father and mother also affects the

children as ICDS beneficiaries. The following table no 4.2.2 shows the

educational qualification of the parents of the ICDS Programme beneficiaries in

Goa.

126

TABLE NO: 4.2.2 TABLE SHOWING EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION OF IRE

PARENTS OF THE ICDS BENEFICIARIES OF GOA. EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION OF PARENTS*

NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES(%) North Goa South Goa Total

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION OF MOTHERS Upto primary 45 (10.48) 58 (13.51) 103 (24.00) High School 75 (17.48) 55 (12.82)

35 (8.15) 130 (30.30) 65 (15.15) SSC 30 (6.99)

Other courses 05 (1.16) 08 (1.86) 13 (3.03) Illiterate 62 (14.45) 55 (12.82) 117 (27.27) EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION OF FATHERS Upto primary level 44 (10.25) 38 (8.85) 82(19.11) High School 100 (23.31) 71 (16.55) 171 (39.86) SSC 25 (5.82) 51 (11.88) 76 (17.71)) Other courses 14 (3.26) 15 (3.49)

34 (7.92) 29 (6.75) 68 (15.85) Illiterate 34 (7.92)

Source: Field survey. *The educational qualification of parents only includes the information of surviving parents.

In Goa 15.15% of the mothers of the beneficiaries of ICDS Programme

are having a qualification of SSC, but 27.27 % of their mothers are illiterate. It is

also seen that 3.03% of the mothers of the ICDS beneficiaries have done some

courses, 24% have studied upto the primary level and 30.30% have high school

education. Only one of the beneficiaries had lost the mother. We can conclude

that majority of the mothers of the ICDS Programme beneficiaries are not highly

qualified and some of them are illiterate.

In addition to this, 39.86% of the fathers of the beneficiaries of ICDS

127

Programme attending the anganwadis are educated upto high school and 19.11%

are educated upto the primary school. It is also seen that 6.75% of the fathers of

the ICDS beneficiaries have done some courses and 17.71% of the fathers of the

ICDS beneficiaries have completed SSC, while 15.85% of the fathers of the

ICDS beneficiaries were illiterate. It is also seen that three beneficiaries had lost

their father.

Majority of the parents of the anganwadi beneficiaries attending the

anganwadis are either illiterate or have primary level education or high school

education. This shows that the ICDS Programme beneficiaries do not come from

highly qualified family backgrounds. This low family educational background

adds to the family's ignorance, lack of knowledge, carelessness etc.

Thungon, P. K. (1992) is of the view that education is the basic ingredient

for any developing society and has to be viewed as a backbone for human

resource development. According to him education is a powerful instrument,

which helps in creating a society consisting of individuals who are resilient

enough to respond to future challenges.

According to Tharakan, M. P. K. and K. Navaneetham (2000); Dreze and

Saran (1993: 5) education can play a crucial role both in enlarging people's

income-earning opportunities and in enabling them to achieve a better quality of

119

life at a given level of income.

The main findings from table no 4.2.2 are as follows.

(1) Majority of the mothers of the ICDS Programme beneficiaries were not

highly qualified and some of them were illiterate.

(2) It is seen that 15.85% of the fathers of the children beneficiaries attending

the anganwadis of Goa were illiterate, 39.86% were educated upto high school,

19.11% were educated upto the primary school, 6.75% of the fathers of the

beneficiaries had done some courses and only 17.71% were SSC.

From the above findings we conclude that the parents of children under

the ICDS Programme had minimal education and this probably is the main

reason why their incomes are low.

129

4.3. THE CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING THE SUCCESS OF

ICDS PROGRAMME IN GOA.

According to Mr. Henry Labouisse, the Executive Director of UNICEF,

children in India, as in other developing countries, are a high risk group and their

tragic situation calls for special efforts to recognize and meet their health-related

needs. Strategies for health and development need to focus where the need is

greatest, i.e. on this most under priviledged of all population groups (Ram

E.1979). Under the criteria for determining the success of ICDS Programme in

Goa two aspects are taken into consideration, which are as follows.

(i)Health and

(ii)Nutrition/food served.

Malnutrition could not be taken as a criteria as the data was not available.

Therefore only two criterias were considered.

(i) HEALTH

According to Panse, G. A. (1979) children are a supremely important

asset of a nation and children's health and well-being is our responsibility.

Children's Programmes should find a prominent place in our national plans for

the development of human resources, so that they may grow up into robust

citizens, physically fit, mentally alert and morally healthy, endowed with the

skills and motivations needed by the society. Equal opportunities for the

130

development of all children during the period of growth should be our aim, for

this would serve our larger purpose of reducing inequality and ensuring social

justice.

According to Multalib, M. A. (1990) the National Policy Resolution for

Children, 1974 place special emphasis on the national responsibility for physical,

mental, moral and social development of the children so that they grow into

robust citizens, all resulting in a great deal of legislative activity. An investment

on health is investment on man and on improving the quality of his life. It is

therefore well recognized that health has to be viewed in its totality as a part of

the strategy of Human Resource Development.

In the view of Sukhatme, P. (1965) diets of poor nutritional quality are

directly responsible for the occurance of specific deficiency diseases. However

insufficiency of essential nutrients in small degrees does not necessarily lead to

clinically defined nutritional diseases but contributes to retardation of growth,

poor development in physique, low resistance to diseases and infections and low

working efficiency. These factors contribute to high morbidity and mortality

among children and low expectation of life.

According to Sharma, 0. P. (1987) the maxim, "Health is wealth" bears a

special significance in the context of rural economy. Improvement in health

111

conditions result in higher labour input and improved efficiency. It is so because

a more healthy person can work not only for longer hours, but even more

vigorously due to greater stamina and vitality. Thus, improvements in health

conditions enable people (and for that matter a nation) to increase their incomes

and in turn their standard of living by enhancing their capacity to work.

Secondly, people with better health derive psychological satisfaction from being

healthy because they have the confidence of doing work with efficiency and will

to enjoy life. Thirdly, improvements in health conditions enable people to

develop resistance to many diseases.

Inorder to get a better picture of ICDS Programme functioning and it's

success, the responses are presented in the form of tables showing the health of

children before joining the ICDS Programme as well as after joining the ICDS

Programme. Besides this, the type of food supposed to be served by the

anganwadis and the actual food served is shown. The calorie intake of the food

served to the ICDS Programme beneficiaries actually attending the anganwadis

is calculated. This section also includes information whether the food served is

according to the timetable or not.

Table no 4.3.1 helps us in understanding the health of children attending

the anganwadis of Goa, before and after joining the ICDS Programme.

132

TABLE NO: 4.3.1 TABLE SHOWING NUMBER OF TIMES THE CHILDREN UNDER THE

ANGANWADIS IN GOA TAKEN TO THE DOCTOR ANNUALLY DUE TO SICKNESS, BEFORE JOINING THE ICDS AND AFTER JOINING THE ICDS

AND ALSO THE IMPROVEMENT IN THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN. NUMBER OF TIMES THE CHILDREN UNDER THE

ANGANWADIS TAKEN TO THE DOCTOR ANNUALLY BEFORE

AND AFTER JOINING THE ICDS AND THE IMPROVEMENT IN

THEIR HEALTH

NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES (%) North Goa South Goa Total

NUMBER OF TIMES THE CHILDREN UNDER THE ANGANWADIS TAKEN

TO THE DOCTOR DUE TO SICKNESS ANNUALLY BEFORE

JOINING THE ICDS 1-5 174(40.55) 177 (41.25) 351(81.81)

5-10 41 (9.55) 32 (7.45) 73 (17.01) 10-15 02 (0.4 6) 03 (0.6 9) 05 (1.16)

NUMBER OF TIMES THE CHILDREN UNDER THE ANGANWADIS TAKEN

TO THE DOCTOR DUE TO SICKNESS ANNUALLY AFTER

JOINING THE ICDS 1-5 136 (31.70) 158(36.82) 294 (68.53)

5-10 79 (18.41) 51 (11.88) 130 (3 0.30) 10-15 02 (0.4 6) 03 (0.6 9) 05 (1.16)

Source: Field survey.

It is observed from table no 4.3.1 that before joining the ICDS, 81.81%

of the beneficiaries were taken to the doctor annually only 1 to 5 times, whereas

17.01% of the ICDS beneficiaries were taken to the doctor around 5 to 10 times,

and 1.16% of the ICDS beneficiaries were taken to the doctor more than 10

times annually. But after joining the anganwadis, 68.53% of the beneficiares

were taken to the doctor annually for 1 to 5 times. It is also seen that 30.30% of

the beneficiaries visited the doctor 5 to 10 times after joining the ICDS. This

increase in the number of beneficiaries from 17.01 % to 30.30% could be

because of poor nutrition, lack of hygiene at the anganwadis, improper

infrastructure at the anganwadis, no proper storehouses for the foodgrains,

leaking roofs during the rains, insects, rats, no proper kitchens, flies, no proper

floors (potholes in the floor), mud floors, no toilets, no proper sitting

arrangements at the anganwadis, no proper water supply facilities, no proper and

timely medical checkups, no proper airy rooms, etc which adds to the ill health

of the ICDS beneficiaries actually attending the anganwadis. It is also observed

that 1.16% of the children under the anganwadis were taken to the doctor 10-15

times before joining the anganwadis, but after joining the anganwadis the

number had remained the same.

The above explaination is supported by the views of Mahajan, N. (1993)

who says that the comparatively low level of effectiveness in ICDS

organizations is explained in terms of poor performance in such services as

nutrition and health education, functional literacy, therapeutic nutrition, etc.

The main fmding from table no 4.3.1 is that under the anganwadis

17.01% of the children beneficiaries were taken to the doctor 5 to 10 times

annually befor joining the ICDS Programme. After joining the ICDS Programme

the number increased to 30.30%.

From the above fmding we can conclude that the ICDS Programme has

134

not resulted in an improvement in the health of all the children availing of the

Programme. On the contrary a deterioration in their health is seen as the number

of visits to the doctor has increased.

(ii) NUTRITION/FOOD SERVED

In the views of De souza, A. (1979) balanced nutrition for pre-school

children of 0-5 years should be part of an overall strategy of preventive health

care of which the main components would be adequate nutritious food,

environmental sanitation and immunization. According to Karkal, M. (1979)

Birch says that, "The nutrition of the individual is perhaps the most ubiquitous

factor affecting growth, health and development (of child). Inadequate nutrition

results in stunning, reduced resistance to infectious diseases, apathy and general

behavioural unresponsiveness."

According to Karkal, M. (1979) Shanti Ghosh points out that perhaps

more important than its impact on physical health is the impact of malnutrition

on mental development, learning ability and the ability to realize the full genetic

intellectual potential. This would be particularly serious if malnutrition occurs in

early childhood when the brain is developing and growing rapidly. By the age of

three, the brain achieves 80% but the body only 20% of the adult weight.'

De souza, A. (1979) says that Levis has also pointed out that

11G

malnutrition retards cognitive development not so much directly through

transformations in the brain as because it causes 'functional isolation' that

inhibits the internally motivated curiosity to learn. He points out that 'thus

malnutrition early in life may affect cognitive development, not by damaging the

brain's capacity to learn, but by producing behaviour incompatible with normal

environmental learning'.

According to Sukhatme, P. V. (1965) there is infact a direct relation

between calorie intake and work output and body weight. If an adequate supply

of calories is not available, people become lethargic and sluggish, movements

become slow, infrequent and interrupted by long pauses and any continuous

effort is avoided as far as possible. Superficial observers have taken these

conditions commonly found amongst poor people in India for laziness.

Sometimes this has been called an "ethnological characteristic of philosophic

attitude towards life" (FAO, 1962). In actual fact, this condition is largely a

result of the inadequacy in food consumption. According to Sukhatme, P. V.

(1965) diets of poor nutritional quality are directly responsible for the occurance

of specific deficiency diseases. However insufficiency of essential nutrients in

small degrees does not necessarily lead to clinically defined nutritional diseases

but contributes to retardation of growth, poor development in physique, low

resistance to diseases and infections and low working efficiency. These factors

contribute to high morbidity and mortality among children and low expectation

1 1K

of life.

(a) FOOD SUPPOSED TO BE SERVED DURING THE WEEK BY THE

ANGANWADIS OF GOA AND THE CALORIE INTAKE BY THE

BENEFICIARIES.

Table no 4.3.2 shows the type of food supposed to be served during the

week by the anganwadis of Goa and the actual calorie intake by the

beneficiaries.

TABLE NO 4.3.2

TYPE OF FOOD SUPPOSED TO BE SERVED DURING THE WEEK BY THE ANGANWADIS OF GOA AND THE CALORIE INTAKE BY THE

BENEFICIARIES.

DAYS OF THE WEEK

TYPE OF FOOD SUPPOSED TO BE

SERVED BT HE ANGANWADIS

CALORIE INTAKE

Monday Khichadi 186 Tuesday Mixed laddu 249

Wednesday Mugh Usal 119 Thursday Raggy (porridge) 182

Friday Boiled Kabulichana 128 Saturday Groundnut laddu 257

Source: Field survey.

The anganwadis under the ICDS Programme in Goa have been provided

with a timetable of food to be served to the children attending the anganwadis.

After finding about the food supplied to each child under the anganwadis the

137

calorie intake of the food eaten by the children per day was calculated with the

help of a dietician from Goa Medical College. Supplementary support for the

calorie calculation has been taken from the books from Goa Medical College.

According to the dietician at Goa Medical College the children under the

anganwadis should be provided with a calorie intake of 250 calories per day

through supplementary nutrition as these children come from poor families, but

it has been seen that these children do not get adequate calories everyday. This is

likely to affect the physical as well as mental growth of children. In Goa under

the ICDS scheme it is seen from table no 4.3.2 that the calorie intake of the

children of anganwadis on four days of a week is far less than the normal

requirement of 250 calories per day. This is the root cause of malnutrition of

various grades in Goa.

Initially the government of India used to provide 95 paise per child per

day for food intake under the anganwadis, but after August 2002 with additional

central assistance of 55 paise the total amount of money provided to each child

for food intake is Rs. 1.50 paise per day. Initially the malnourished children were

provided with Rs. 1.35 paise per child per day, but now with additional central

assistance of 55 paise the total amount of food provided to these malnourished

children is of Rs. 1.90 paise per day.

138

The amount of money allocated for each child for food/nutrition under the

ICDS scheme i.e. for the normal children as well as the children belonging to

various grades of malnutrition is too less. In the view of De Souza, A. (1979) a

balanced diet for pre-school children 3 should include a mix of energy food such

as wheat, rice, maize, sugar, root vegetables such as tapioca, sweets like sugar,

jaggery, fats and oils. There should also be growth foods such as milk, milk

products, pulses, groundnuts, soyabeans, eggs, meat, fish and nuts. There should

also be health promoting foods, such as all kinds of vegetables and fruits.

According to Geoghegan, M. (1979) WHO has said that adequate

nutrition must be given the highest priority amongst the needs of children. Most

experts emphasise the importance of providing adequate protein especially to the

young children. Malnutrition is a 'polite' word for semi-starvation among

children. It leads to the growth of diseases. Malnutrition is common in

developing countries. Its causes are complex and inter-related. Poverty

undoubtedly is the main one, but dietary habits of the people also contribute to it.

To combat malnutrition among children we would have not only to expand the

supply of nutritional (i.e. high protein) food but also overcome any customs and

superstitions, which may prevent the adoption of a balanced diet, often specially

related to the diet of children.

The main finding from table no 4.3.2 is that the calorie intake of the

children beneficiaries of the anganwadis under the ICDS Programme on four

119

days of a week is far less than the normal requirements of 250 calories per day.

From the above findings we conclude that the children beneficiaries of the

anganwadis under the ICDS Programme in Goa do not get the adequate calorie

intake of 250 calories on some days of the week. This is likely to affect the

physical as well as the mental growth of children. This is also a root cause of

malnutrition of various grades in Goa.

In Goa the amount of money allocated for each child for food/nutrition

under the ICDS Scheme i.e. for the normal children as well as the children

belonging to various grades of malnutrition is too less.

(b) FOOD SERVED ACCORDING / NOT ACCORDING TO THE

TIMETABLE, TO THE ICDS BENEFICIARIES OF GOA.

Some of the anganwadis of Goa under the ICDS Programme do not serve

food according to the timetable. Table no 4.3.3 gives the required details.

TABLE NO: 4.3.3. TABLE SHOWING FOOD SERVED ACCORDING / NOT ACCORDING TO THE

TIMETABLE TO THE ICDS BENEFICIARIES OF GOA.

FOOD SERVED ACCORDING/ NOT ACCORDING TO THE

TIMETABLE

NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES (%) North Goa South Goa Total

Yes 110 (25.64) 103 (24.00) 213 (49.65) No 107 (24. 94) 109 (25.40)

212 216 (50.34)

429 Total 217 Source: Field survey.

tail

In table no 4.3.3 it is seen that 50.34% of the beneficiaries were not

supplied food according to the timetable. This shows the carelessness of

Anganwadi workers. This has resulted in increase in the number of children with

different grades of malnutrition. Infact a proper monitoring of the work by the

authorities could have helped in overcoming this shortcoming in the working of

ICDS in Goa. This negligence on the part of anganwadi workers has affected the

future labour force of our state. It has also aggravated the problem of

malnourishment in Goa.

The main finding from table no 4.3.3 is that 50.34 % of the children

beneficiaries under the anganwadis of Goa were not served food according to the

timetable.

From the findings we conclude that since majority of the children

beneficiaries of ICDS Programme were not supplied food according to the

timetable, it reflects the carelessness of the anganwadi workers and

shortcomings in the working of ICDS Programme in Goa. This also adds to the

problem of malnutrition, ill-health and it has also affected the future labour force

of our state.

141

4.4 VARIOUS OTHER ASPECTS ABOUT ICDS PROGRAMME OF

GOA.

This section encompasses the following sub-sections.

(i) Other details of ICDS Programme in Goa.

(ii)Total number of surveyed anganwadis, total number of children belonging to

below poverty line list and the total number of children in the anganwadis absent

on the day of the field visit.

(iii) Non-availability of basic amenities in the anganwadis of Goa.

(iv) Problems/malpractices under the anganwadis according to the parents of the

beneficiaries.

(i) OTHER DETAILS OF ICDS.

The other details of the ICDS Programme are covered in table no. 4. 4.1 as

shown below.

(i) Whether the child longs to go to the anganwadis or not.

(ii) Proper care taken/ not taken of the children by the anganwadi workers.

(iii)Whether the anganwadi workers and helper carry out their work and

responsibilities efficiently or not.

(iv)Whether the anganwadi workers feed the children properly or not.

(v)Whether proper pre-school education is imparted / not imparted.

(vi)Whether the anganwadi workers and helpers follow strict working hours or

not.

142

(vii) Annual Absenteeism of the anganwadi workers at the anganwadis.

TABLE NO: 4.4.1. TABLE SHOWING OTHER DETAILS OF ICDS.

OTHER DETAILS ABOUT ICDS NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES (%)

North Goa South Goa Total CHILD LONGS TO GO TO THE

ANGANWADI Yes 165 (38.46) 126 (29.37) 291(67.83) No 52(12.12) 86 (20.04) 138 (32.16)

CARE TAKEN BY THE ANGANWADI WORKER

Yes 215(50.11) 166 (38.69) 381 (88.81) No 02 (0.46) 46 (10.72) 48 (11.18)

WORK AND RESPONSIBILITIES UNDERTAKEN BY ANGANWADI

WORKERS AND HELPERS Yes 209(48.71) 88 (20.51) 297 (69.23) No 08 (1.86) 124 (28.90) 132 (30.76)

PROPER FEEDING OF CHILDREN BY ANGANWADI WORKERS

Yes 44 (10.25) 39 (9.09) 83 (19.34) No 173 (4 0.32) 173 (40.32) 346 (80.65)

PROPER NON-FORMAL PRE- SCHOOL TEACHING IMPARTED

TO CHILDREN Yes 65 (15.15) 87 (20.27) 152(35.43) No 152 (35.43) 125 (29.13) 277 (64.56)

STRICT WORKING HOURS FOLLOWED / NOT FOLLOWED BY

ANGANWADI HELPER AND WORKER

Yes 206 (48.01) 45 (10.48) 251 (58.50) No 11 (2.56) 167 (38.92) 178 (41.49)

ANNUAL ABSENTEEISM OF THE ANGANWADI WORKERS AT THE

ANGANWADIS 1 - 10 11 (21,56) 01(1.96) 12(23.52)

10-20 13(25.49) - 13 (25.49) 20-30 01(1.96) 05 (9.80) 06 (11.76) 30-40 - 20(39.21) 20 (39.21)

Source: Field survey.

The above table shows that 32.16% of the parents of the beneficiaries of

A il

ICDS Programme said that their children did not long to go to the anganwadis.

This probably could be because the children at the anganwadis do not like the

environment, lack of toys at the anganwadis, tasteless food served at the

anganwadis, etc.

It is seen from the above table that 11.18% of the parents of the

beneficiaries feel that the anganwadi workers do not take proper care of the

children which includes 0.46% from North Goa and 10.72% from South Goa.

This could be because of lack of proper knowledge about childcare, ignorance,

inefficiency in work, lack of accountability, etc. According to K. Sadashivaiah,

K. and A.S. Ramesh (1979) the high incidence of infant and toddler mortality,

the high prevalence of malnutrition and mortality among children in the country

indicate that these little ones do not receive the kind of care they need. However

India has now recognized the fact that the development of children is vital to the

development of the nation.

About 30.76% of the parents of the beneficiaries feel that the anganwadi

workers and helpers do not carry out their work and responsibilities properly.

This is probably because they are not duty conscious, there may be no proper

monitoring by the higher authorities, no accountability of work carried out,

carelessness, etc.

1 Ad

According to Karkal, M. (1979) in the early years, nutrition scientists

were of the opinion that malnutrition was due to protein deficiency and their

focus was on children and mothers. However, they soon realised that what was

limiting the growth of a child was not protein insufficiency but inadequate food

intake. 4 It is also observed from the table that 80.65% of the parents of the

beneficiaries feel that no proper care is taken by the anganwadi workers to feed

the children. This probably may be due to inefficiency in work, lack of training,

no proper knowledge about nutritional needs of children, no proper checks by

the authorities, etc.

hi the same table it is observed that 64.56% of the parents of the

beneficiaries felt that proper non-formal pre-school teaching is not imparted to

the children. This is probably because the anganwadi workers are not made

accountable in imparting proper informal education. Besides creative thinking is

not encouraged. There are no proper books, no educative toys, no educative

posters, no drawing colours, etc. at some of the anganwadi centres.

It is also seen from the table that 41.49% of the anganwadi workers and

helpers do not follow strict working hours. This shows the carelessness of the

workers towards their duties. Besides this, about 25.49% of the anganwadi

workers were absent between 10 — 20 days at the anganwadis annually. It is also

seen that 11.76% of the anganwadi workers were absent between 20 to 30 days

1 A G

annually at the anganwadis and 39.21% of the anganwadi workers were absent

for 30 to 40 days annually at the anganwadis. Whatever be the reason for

absence, a substitute anganwadi worker should be provided inorder to carry out

the work in her absence, so as not to affect the functioning of the anganwadis.

The main fmdings from table no 4.4.1 are as follows.

(1)According to 32.16% of the parents of the beneficiaries of ICDS Programme

their children did not long to go to the anganwadis.

(2) According to 11.18% of the parents of the children beneficiaries of the

anganwadis, the anganwadi workers do not take proper care of the children.

(3) About 30.76% of the parents of the beneficiaries feel that the anganwadi

workers and helpers do not carry out their work and responsibilities properly.

(4) It is seen that 80.65% of the parents of the beneficiaries feel that no proper

care is take by the anganwadi workers to feed the children.

(5)According to 64.56% of the parents of the beneficiaries no proper non-formal

teaching is imparted to children attending the anganwadis.

(6) It is seen that 41.49% of the anganwadi workers and helpers do not follow

strict working hours. Besides this, 25.49% of the anganwadi workers are absent

between 10 to 20 days and 39.21 % of the anganwadi workers are absent for 30

to 40 days annually at the anganwadis.

The main conclusions drawn from the above fmdings are as follows.

(1) Some of the children under the ICDS Programme in Goa did not long to go

146

to the anganwadis probably because the children at the anganwadis do not like

the environment, lack of toys at the anganwadis, tasteless food served at the

anganwadis, etc.

(2) Some of the anganwadi workers do not take proper care of the children at

the anganwadis due to lack of of proper knowledge about childcare, ignorance,

inefficiency at work, lack of accountability etc.

(3) The reason for the anganwadis workers and helpers not to carry out their

work and responsibilities properly may probably be because they are not duty

conscious, lack of monitoring by the higher authorities, no accountability of

work carried out, carelessness, etc.

(4) The majority of the anganwadi workers do not take proper care to feed the

anganwadi children probably because they are inefficient in their work, lack of

training, no proper knowledge about the nutritional needs of children, no proper

checks by the authorities etc.

(5) Proper non-formal teaching/education is not imparted to the beneficiaries of

the anganwadis, as the anganwadi workers are not made accountable to impart

proper non-formal education. To add to this, many of the anganwadi centres do

not have proper books, no educative toys, lack in educative posters, etc.

(6) In case of absence of any anganwadi worker a substitute anganwadi worker

should be provided inorder to a carry out the work in her absence so as not to

affect the functioning of the anganwadis.

147

(ii) TOTAL NUMBER OF SURVEYED ANGANWADIS, TOTAL NUMBER

OF CHILDREN BELONGING TO BELOW POVERTY LINE LIST AND THE

TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THE ANGANWADIS ABSENT ON

THE DAY OF THE FIELD VISIT.

Table no 4.4.2 shows the total number of surveyed anganwadis, total

number of children belonging to below poverty line list and the total number of

children in the anganwadis absent on the day of the field visit.

TABLE NO: 4.4.2

TABLE SHOWING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SURVEYED ANGANWADIS, TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN BELONGING TO BELOW POVERTY LINE LIST AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THE ANGANWADIS ABSENT ON THE DAY OF THE FIELD VISIT.

GOA

TOTAL NUMBER OF SURVEYED ANGANWADIS

TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN BELONGING TO BPL LIST.

TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THE ANGANWADIS OF GOA ABSENT ON THE DAY OF THE FIELD VISIT

North Goa 25 68 44 South Goa 26 164 52 Source: Field survey

Table no 4. 4. 2 shows that the field survey covered 25 anganwadis

of North Goa and 26 anganwadis of South Goa. A total of 429 children were

surveyed under this study, out of which a total of 68 children from North Goa

and 164 children from South Goa belonged to the BPL list. We can conclude

1 AR

that children, belonging to families above the poverty line are also taking

advantage of the ICDS Scheme in Goa. The number of children belonging to the

BPL list is arrived at from the list of anganwadi beneficiaries surveyed under

this study.

From the table, it is also seen that many children were absent at the

anganwadis on the day of the field visit to the anganwadis. This shows that all is

not well with the functioning of the scheme in Goa.

The main finding from table no 4.4.2 is that some children not belonging

to the BPL list are the beneficiaries of ICDS Scheme in Goa and many children

beneficiaries were absent in the anganwadis on the day of the field visit.

From the above fmdings we conclude that, the children belonging to

above poverty line are also the beneficiaries of the anganwadis under the ICDS

Scheme in Goa and as many children were absent at the anganwadis on the days

of the field visits, shows that the anganwadis do not attract children.

(iii) NON — AVAILABILITY OF BASIC AMENITIES IN THE

ANGANWADIS OF GOA.

According to Panse, G. A. (1979) the concept of a package of services is

149

based primarily on the consideration that the over-all impact will be much

greater if the different services develop in an integrated manner, for the

efficiency of particular services depends upon the support it receives from

related services. For instance, the provision of supplementary nutrition is

unlikely to improve the health of the child if he continues to be exposed to

diarrhoea! infections flowing from the use of unprotected drinking water.

The information on the non-availability of basic amenities in the

anganwadis of Goa has been covered in table no 4.4.3.

TABLE NO: 4.4.3 TABLE SHOWING NON —AVAILABILITY OF BASIC AMENITIES IN

THE ANGANWADIS OF GOA.

NON —AVAILABILITY OF BASIC AMENITIES

NUMBER OF ANGANWADIS (%) North Goa South Goa Total

Playground 21 22

(41.17) (43.13)

03 17

(5.88) (33.33)

24 39

(47.05) (76.47) Electricity supply

Water supply 24 (47.05) 10 (19.60) 34 (66.66) Toilet 22 (43.13) 04 (7.84) 26 (50.98) Airy rooms and windows 16 (31.37) 07 (13.72) 23 (45.09) Tables and Chairs 07 (13.72) 08 (15.68) 15 (29.41) Different types of toys 08 (15.68) 04 (7.84) 12 (23.52) Books of different types 13 (25.49) 04 (7.84) 17 (33.33) Source: Field survey.

Out of the 51 anganwadis surveyed under this study which includes 25

anganwadis from North Goa and 26 anganwadis from South Goa the above table

shows that 47.05% of the anganwadis in Goa do not have play grounds, 76.47%

150

of the anganwadis do not have electricity supply, 66.66% do not have water

supply connections in the anganwadis and 50.98% of the anganwadis do not

have toilets. It is also seen that 45.09% of the anganwadis do not have airy

rooms and no proper windows for the anganwadis. In Goa 29.41% of the

anganwadis do not have proper chairs and tables for the beneficiaries. Around

23.52% of the anganwadis do not have toys and 33.33% of the anganwadis do

not have different types of books for the beneficiaries. All this shows the

inadequacy of basic amenities and infrastructure in some of the anganwadis of

Goa, which reflects the poor support received from the related services. Health

education may be there but absence of basic amenities hinders hygiene and

sanitation. This is supported by the views of Panse, G.A. (1979).

Pant, K.C. (2001) also supports the view that, even if all the food with

adequate complements of all nutrients were available, its absorption

physiologically may be problematic because of lack of good quality of drinking

water and a clean environment.

The main finding from table no 4.4.3 is that there are inadequacies of

basic amenities and infrastructure under some of the anganwadis in Goa.

From the findings we conclude that an increase in the number of visits to

the doctor observed earlier is probably due to the unhygienic environment at the

anganwadis as the finding of this table shows. Besides the anganwadis lack basic

151

infrastructure.

(iv) PROBLEMS/MALPRACTICES UNDER ANGANWADIS ACCORDING

TO THE PARENTS OF THE BENEFICIARIES.

The table no 4.4.4 covers the problems/malpractices faced, according to

the parents of the ICDS beneficiaries.

TABLE NO: 4.4.4

TABLE SHOWING PROBLEMS/MALPRACTICES UNDER ANGANWADIS ACCORDING TO THE PARENTS OF THE BENEFICIARIES

PROBLEMS NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES (%) North Goa South Goa Total

Selecting of Anganwadi workers through pressure 10(2.33) - 10(2.33) Pocketing of foodstuff from the anganwadis by the anganwadi workers/helpers 10 (2.33) - 10(2.33)

Not abiding by the time schedules of work 21 (4.89) 125 (29.13) 146 (34.03)

No proper infrastructure 63(14.68) 35 (8.15) 98 (22.84) Unhygienic anganwadis 45 (10.48) 19 (4.42) 64 (14.91) No proper rooms/congested rooms 09 (2.09) 22 (5.12) 31 (7.22) No proper toys, books 07 (1.63) 13 (3.03) 20 (4.66)

97 (22.61) Mud floor 84 (19.58) 13 (3.03) Leaking roofs - 06 (1.39) 06 (1.39) No proper records - 10 (2.33) 10(2.33) No proper door s for the anganwadis - 17 (3.96) 17 (3.96)

Source: Field survey

It is seen from table no 4.4.4 that 2.33% of the parents complained that

the selection of anganwadi workers is done through pressure and 2.33 % of the

parents expressed that the anganwadi workers pocket foodstuff from the

anganwadis. Besides this, according to 34.03 % of the parents of the

152

beneficiaries, the anganwadi workers do not abide by the time schedule of work,

22.84% parents of the ICDS beneficiaries complained about improper

infrastructure at the anganwadis, 14.91% complained about unhygienic

anganwadis and 7.22% of them complained about the congested rooms of the

anganwadis. It is also seen from the table that 4.66% of the parents of the

beneficiaries complained that there is no provision of toys and books, 22.61% of

the parents complained about the mud floors of the anganwadis and 1.39% of the

parents of the beneficiaries complained about leaking roofs of the anganwadis

during the rains. According to 2.33% of the parents of the beneficiaries, the

anganwadis do not maintain proper records and according to 3.96% of the

parents of the beneficiaries, the anganwadis do not have proper doors. All these

shortcomings under the anganwadis, affect the functioning of ICDS in Goa. We

can conclude that according to the parents of the children attending the

anganwadis the infrastructural problems are many. This is accompanied by

problems of inefficiencies by the anganwadi workers and political pressures

which affects the selection of the anganwadi workers. Selection of anganwadi

workers through pressure may lead to selection of anganwadi workers who may

not be competent enough to carry out the work of managing the anganwadis.

The main fmdings from table no 4.4.4 are that according to some of the

parents of the beneficiaries of the anganwadis, the selection of the anganwadi

workers is done through pressure, anganwadi workers do not abide by the time

schedules, there is pocketing of food stuff from the anganwadis, improper

153

infrastructure at the anganwadis, unhygienic anganwadis, congested rooms of

the anganwadis, no proper records, no proper doors for the anganwadis, etc.

The main conclusions drawn from table no 4.4.4 are that there are various

infrastructural problems, problems of inefficiencies by the anganwadi workers,

inefficiencies in the selection of anganwadi workers etc, which adds to the

overall mismanagement of the ICDS Programme in Goa.

4.5 THE MONITORING AUTHORITY OF ICDS PROGRAMME IN

GOA.

INTRODUCTION

There exist many limitations in the working of the monitoring authority of

ICDS scheme in Goa. Under the ICDS scheme in Goa the monitoring authority

at the apex consists of the Director of the Directorate of Women and Child

Development, under whom the various Child Development Project Officers

(CDPOs) at the taluka level fimction. The Mukhya Sevikas (Supervisors)

fimction under the eleven CDPOs of Goa at the taluka level. The anganwadi

workers of the ICDS Programme under different talukas work under the

supervision of the Mukhya Sevikas of Goa. If only this hierarchy of personnel

had taken up their responsibilities seriously, the working and implementation of

154

the ICDS scheme in Goa would have been better. In this section we have tried to

find out whether the monitoring authority has carried out the responsibilities

assigned to it or not under this programme.

This section includes the following information.

(i)Taluka -wise staff working for the ICDS Programme in Goa.

(ii) Number of meetings of the anganwadi workers held by the CDPOs in a

month at the taluka level.

(iii)The number of times the Mukhya Sevikas (Supervisor) and the CDPOs visit

the anganwadis in a month, talukawise.

(iv)Total number of children enrolled under ICDS in 2001-02 and the annual

total number of health check-ups carried out under each anganwadi in different

talukas of Goa.

(v)Taluka-wise immunization services provided according to the CDPOs of Goa.

(vi)Age-group and educational qualification of the anganwadi workers under the

ICDS Programme in Goa.

(vii) Food eaten/ not eaten by the anganwadi workers along with the children

beneficiaries of ICDS Programme and proper pre-school education imparted/ not

imparted by the anganwadi workers

(viii) The problems faced by the Anganwadi workers of ICDS Programme in

Goa.

(ix)Some problems faced by the CDPOs of Goa.

155

(i)1 THE STAFF WORKING FOR THE ICDS PROGRAMME

The table no 4.5.1 given below shows the taluka-wise staff working for the

ICDS Programme under the CDPOs of Goa.

TABLE NO: 4. 5.1

TABLE SHOWING TALUKA-WISE THE STAFF WORKING FOR THE ICDS

PROGRAMME IN GOA.

TALUKAS AND THE NUMBER OF

ANGANWADIS NUMBER OF STAFF WORKING FOR ICDS

Dail

Dal

UON

I Bal

-Sev

ikas

Ang

anw

adi

wor

kers

Muk

hya

Sevi

kas saadiall St

atis

tica

l A

ssis

tant

s Bicholim (87) 1 1 2 1 87 4 87 1 Pemem (63) 1 1 1 1 63 2 63 1 Sanguem (60) 1 - 1 - 60 3 60 1 Sattari (82) 1 1 1 1 82 3 82 1 Quepem (66) 1 1 1 - 66 3 66 1 Canacona (44) 1 1 1 - 44 2 44 1 Ponda (119) 1 1 1 2 119 5 119 1 Bardez (132) 2- 2 2 132 5 132 1 Salcete (170) 1 1 2 2 170 9 169 1 Tiswadi (90) 1 1 2 - 90 5 90 1 Mormugao (91) 1 1 1 2 91 5 91 1

Source: CDPO offices at the taluka levels

It is observed from the above table that Sanguem taluka has 60

156

anganwadis and 3 Mukhya Sevikas but Pernem taluka though having a larger

number of anganwadis than Sanguem i.e. 63, has been allocated only 2 Mukhya

Sevikas.

It is also observed that Sattari taluka has 82 anganwadis, Quepem taluka

has 66 anganwadis and Sanguem taluka has 60 anganwadis, but all have 3

Mukhya Sevikas each. It is also worth noting that Bicholim taluka has 87

anganwadis and 4 Mukhya Sevikas. Comparing this, to Sanguem taluka with 60

anganwadis and Quepem taluka with 66 anganwadis both have the same number

of Mukhya Sevikas. There should be a proper yardstick for allocation of Mukhya

Sevikas according to the number of anganwadis. Discrepancies in allocation of

staff should be avoided.

From the table we fmd that there existed discrepancies in the allocation of

Mukhya Sevikas under some of the talukas of Goa.

(ii) TALUKA-WISE MEETINGS OF THE ANGANWADI WORKERS HELD

BY THE CDPOs IN A MONTH IN DIFFERENT TALUKAS.

Table no 4.5.2 shows the number of meetings of the anganwadi workers

held by the CDPOs in a month at the taluka level.

157

Information not given Bardez

NUMBER OF MEETINGS OF THE ANGANWADI WORKERS HELD IN A MONTH BY THE CDPOs

TALUKAS

Bicholim 2 Pernem 3 Sanguem 2 Sattari 1 Quepem 4 Canacona 2 Ponda 1

Salcete 3 Tiswadi Mormugao 1

TABLE NO: 4. 5. 2

TABLE SHOWING TALUKA-WISE MEETINGS OF THE ANGANWADI WORKERS HELD BY THE CDPOs IN A MONTH IN DIFFERENT TALUKAS.

Source: CDPO offices at the taluka level

From table no 4.5.2 it is observed that there exist discrepancies in the

number of meetings of the anganwadi workers held in a month by the

CDPOs.This shows that there is no uniformity in the functioning of ICDS

scheme in Goa at the taluka levels. All the CDPOs should be made to follow a

proper timetable for carrying out the meetings of the anganwadi workers and the

Director of the Directorate of Women and Child Development should monitor

the working of the scheme properly

From the table we find that discrepancies exist in the number of meetings

of the anganwadi workers held in a month by the Child Development Project

Officers of Goa.

158

From the findings we can conclude that the CDPOs of Goa under the

ICDS Scheme do not carry out uniform number of meetings of the anganwadi

workers at the taluka level.

(iii) THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE MUKHYA SEVIKAS (SUPERVISORS)

AND THE CDPOs VISIT ANGWANWADIS IN A MONTH, TALUKAWISE.

Table no 4.5.3 shows the number of times the Mukhya Sevikas

(Supervisor) and the CDPOs visit the anganwadis in a month, talukawise.

TABLE NO: 4.5.3 TABLE SHOWING THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE MUKHYA SEVIKAS

(SUPERVISORS) AND THE CDPOs VISIT ANGWANWADIS IN A MONTH TALUKAWISE.

TALUKAS

NUMBER OF TIMES THE CDPOs AND MUKHYA SEVIKAS VISIT THE ANGANWADI MONTHLY

CDPOs VISITS MUKHYA SEVIKAS

VISITS Bicholim 1 1 Pernem Once in two months 1 Sanguem 2 2 Sattari 1 1 Quepem 2 3 Canacona 1 1 Ponda 1 1

Bardez Information not given Information not given Salcete 1 1 or2 Tiswadi Irregular visits. 1 Mormugao Sometimes 1

Source: CDPO offices at the taluka level

From the above table it is observed that the CDPO of Pernem taluka

159

could not make proper visits to the anganwadis of Pernem. From the interview it

was found that she was not provided with the official vehicle. The CDPO of

Tiswadi taluka also made irregular visits to the anganwadis. It was found from

the interview that she had been given an additional charge of the children's

home in Merces. Besides this the interview with the CDPO of Salcete taluka

revealed that she had been given an additional charge of the ICDS Programme in

Mormugao taluka. So she could not visit the anganwadis in Mormugao taluka

regularly, as she was overburdened with work.

It is seen from the table that 45.45% of the CDPOs made one visit to the

anganwadis in a month. This could be because of lack of provision of official

vehicle, inefficiency of the CDPOs, lack of accountability, etc

Table no 4.5.3 shows that majority of the Mukhya Sevikas of Goa made

one visit to the anganwadis of Goa in a month. The Mukhya Sevikas and CDPOs

under the ICDS Programme in Goa should take their work more seriously and

make more than one visit in a month to the anganwadis inorder to improve their

functioning. This would help in overcoming the inefficiencies in the working of

the anganwadis of Goa to a large extent. The CDPOs and Mukhya Sevikas

should be provided with proper official vehicle for their visits and they should

not be overburdened with additional work. Selection of additional CDPOs under

the ICDS Programme in Goa should be done so as to overcome the shortages in

160

the staff.

The main findings from table no 4.5.3 are as follows.

(1) Some CDPOs did not make regular monthly visits to the anganwadis at the

taluka level.

(2) There exist discrepancies in the number of visits made by the Mukhya

Sevikas to the anganwadi centres.

From the above fmdings we can conclude that due to lack of proper

monitoring of the functioning of anganwadis in Goa it has resulted in their

inefficient functioning.

(iv) TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN ENROLLED UNDER ICDS IN 2001-

02 AND ANNUAL TOTAL NUMBER OF HEALTH CHECK-UPS CARRIED

OUT UNDER EACH ANGANWADI IN DIFFERENT TALUKAS OF GOA.

The table no 4.5.4 given below shows the total number of children enrolled

under ICDS in 2001-02 and the annual total number of health check-ups carried

out under each anganwadi in different talukas of Goa.

161

TABLE NO: 4. 5.4

TABLE SHOWING TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN ENROLLED UNDER ICDS IN 2001-02 AND ANNUAL TOTAL NUMBER OF HEALTH CHECK-UPS

CARRIED OUT UNDER EACH ANGANWADI IN DIFFERENT TALUKAS OF GOA

TALUKAS TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN ENROLLED UNDER ICDS IN 2001-02

ANNUAL TOTAL NUMBER OF HEALTH CHECK-UPS CARRIED OUT UNDER EACH ANGANWADI OF GOA

Bicholim 3966 2 to 3 Pernem 3186 Irregular Sanguem 2273 Irregular Sattari 2592 No health checkups Quepem 2865 Irregular Canacona 1923 4 Ponda 4658 Irregular Bardez 8560 1 Salcete 6639 Irregular Tiswadi 50571 No health checkups Mormugao Information not

provided Irregular

Source: CDPO offices at the taluka levels.

From the table, it is clear that majority of the CDPOs at the taluka level in

Goa have either irregular health check ups or no health check ups for the

anganwadis. This shows that the ICDS scheme in Goa has not succeeded in

providing proper health checkup services to its beneficiaries attending the

anganwadis. The monitoring authorities have failed to achieve its objectives of

providing regular health check-ups to all the beneficiaries attending the

anganwadis under the ICDS scheme in Goa.

162

In the view of Panse, G. A. (1979) children who as a result of health

check-up are found to suffer from second and third degree of malnutrition are

given supplementary nutrition based on their physical needs, as recommended

by the doctor. In Goa as a result of absence of regular health check —ups by the

doctors, it is not possible to provide supplementary nutrition to the beneficiaries

of the ICDS Programme as per their physical needs.

The main finding from table no 4.5.4 is that the majority of the CDPOs at

the taluka level have either irregular health checkups or no health checkups for

the anganwadis in Goa.

We can thus conclude that the ICDS Scheme has failed in its objective of

providing regular health checkups to its beneficiaries attending the anganwadis

under the ICDS Scheme in Goa. This could probably be a reason why the

children suffer poor health. If regular health checkups were carried out the

children would benefit and it would provide a feedback on how successful the

programme was in achieving it's objectives. Accordingly steps could have been

taken to rectify the functioning of ICDS Programme.

163

(v) TALUKA-WISE IMMUNISATION SERVICES PROVIDED

ACCORDING TO THE CDPOs OF GOA.

Table no 4.5.5 shows the taluka-wise immunization services provided

according to the CDPOs of Goa.

TABLE NO: 4 .5. 5 TABLE SHOWING TALUKA-WISE IMMUNISATION SERVICES PROVIDED

ACCORDING TO THE CDPOs OF GOA

TALUKAS PERCENTAGE OF

IMMUNISATION SERVICES PROVIDED BY ICDS IN GOA

BICHOLIM (99%) PERNEM (100%)

SANGUEM (99%)

SATTARI (95%) QUEPEM (99%)

CANACONA (100%) PONDA (99%)

BARDEZ (100%) SALCETE (99%) TISWADI (99%)

MORMUGAO 99% Source: CDPO offices at the taluka levels.

From table no 4.5.5 it is clear that 7 talukas have 99% of immunization

whereas, Pernem taluka, Canacona taluka and Bardez taluka has 100%

immunization under the ICDS scheme in Goa. The ICDS scheme in Goa under

the CDPOs has provided immunization services to the people of all talukas, but

still 12% immunization has to be achieved by ICDS scheme in Goa. According

to the Recommendations of Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council April

2001, reduce infant and child mortality, we need nearly 100% immunization,

164

supply of clean drinking water and provision of sanitation facilities to prevent

infections and professional attention during childbirth. The coverage of these

facilities is very inadequate today (Kapila, R. and U. Kapila 2001).

(vi) AGE-GROUP AND EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION OF THE

ANGANWADI WORKERS UNDER ICDS PROGRAMME IN GOA.

Table no 4.5.6 shows the age-group and educational qualification of the

anganwadi workers under the ICDS Programme in Goa.

TABLE NO: 4.5.6

TABLE SHOWING THE AGE-GROUP AND EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

OF THE ANGANWADI WORKERS UNDER ICDS PROGRAMME IN GOA.

AGE-GROUP (years)

NUMBER OF ANGANWADI WORKERS OF GOA (%) North Goa South Goa Total

20 -25 02 (3.92) - 02 (3.92) 25-30 11 (21.56) 03 (5.88) 14 (27.450 30-35 06 (11.76) 07 (13.92) 13 (25.49) 35-40 06 (11.76) 06 (11.76) 12 (23.52) 40-45 - 07 (13.72) 07 (13.72) 45-50 - 01 (1.96) 01 (1.96) 50-55 - 02 (3.92) 02 (3.92) EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION Upto primary level - 01 (1.96) 01 (1.96) High school 12 (23.52) 07 (13.72) 19 (37.25) SSC 11 (21.56) 17 (33.33) 28 (54.90) Graduation - - - Any other 2 (3.92) 01 (1.96) 03 (5.88) Illiterate - - -

Source: Field survey

165

The above table shows that the anganwadis workers belong to the age-

group between 20 — 55 years. Besides this 54.90% of the Anganwadi workers

have an educational qualification of SSC, 1.96% are educated upto the primary

level and 34.25% have been educated upto the high school, but they have not

completed SSC. The anganwadi workers should possesss qualification in child

care, nutrition, etc rather than only having qualifications like SSC or even higher

than SSC, which does not give any specialized training in health care, nutrition,

calorie intake, hygiene, etc.

The main fmdings from table no 4.5.6 are as follows.

(1) The anganwadi workers in Goa under the ICDS Scheme belong to the age

group of 20 to 55 years.

(2) The majority of the anganwadi workers are qualified upto SSC and some

have qualifications lower than SSC.

From the above we conclude that the anganwadi workers are capable of

managing their work and majority of them are qualified upto SSC but they do

not possess any specialized qualification/training in childcare, nutrition, hygiene

etc.

166

(vii) THE FOOD EATEN/ NOT EATEN BY THE ANGANWADI WORKERS

ALONG WITH THE CHILDREN BENEFICIARIES OF ICDS AND PROPER

PRE-SHOOL EDUCATION IMPARTED/NOT IMPARTED BY THE

ANGANWADI WORKERS.

The table given below shows the food eaten/ not eaten by the anganwadi

workers along with the children beneficiaries of ICDS Programme and proper

pre-school education imparted/ not imparted by the anganwadi workers.

TABLE NO: 4. 5.7

TABLE SHOWING THE FOOD EATEN/ NOT EATEN BY THE ANGANWADI WORKERS ALONG WITH THE CHILDREN BENEFICIARIES OF ICDS AND PROPER PRE-SHOOL EDUCATION IMPARTED/NOT IMPARTED BY THE

ANGANWADI WORKERS

FOOD EATEN/NOT EATEN

NUMBER OF ANGANWADI WORKERS (%) North Goa South Goa Total

Yes 10 (19.60) 22 (43.13) 32 (62.74) No 15 (29.41) 04 (7.84) 19 (37.25)

PROPER PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION IMPARTED Yes 21 (41.17) 06 (11.76) 27 (52.94) No 04 (7.84) 20 (39.21) 24 (47.05)

Source: Field survey

It is seen from the above table that 37.25% of the anganwadi workers do

not eat the food along with the children beneficiaries of ICDS. Infact they are

supposed to make the food tasty and eat it along with the children. As some of

them do not eat the food along with the children beneficiaries shows that the

167

anganwadi workers do not follow the instructions given to them. Besides this

47.05 % of the anganwadi workers do not impart proper pre-school education to

the beneficiaries attending the anganwadis. Some of the parents complained that

no proper books, toys, etc were supplied to the anganwadis. We can conclude

that the anganwadi workers do not undertake their responsibilities seriously.

(viii) PROBLEMS FACED BY THE ANGANWADI WORKERS OF GOA.

Table no 4.5.8 shows the problems faced by the Anganwadi Workers of

ICDS Programme in Goa.

TABLE NO: 4. 5.8 PROBLEMS FACED BY THE ANGANWADI WORKERS OF GOA.

PROBLEMS FACED NUMBER OF ANGANWADI

WORKERS (%) North Goa South Goa Total

No proper storehouses 4 (7.84) 14 (27.45) 18 (35.29) No proper transport facilities to the workplace 03 (5.88) 06 (11.76) 09 (17.64) Very small rooms of the anganwadis 1 (1.96) 07 (13.72) 08 (15.68)

Problem of insects at the anganwadis 03 (5.88) 06 (11.76) 09 (17.64) No toys, books, charts, slates etc 01 (1.96) 08 (15.68) 09 (17.64) No proper chairs, tables, cupboards 02 (3.92) 15 (29.41) 17 (33.33) Unhygienic place of location of the anganwadis 05 (9.80) 05 (9.80) 10 (19.60) Mud floor 16 (31.37) 07 (13.72) 23 (45.09) Unhygienically dressed children 02 (3.92) 03(5.88) 05 (9.80) No taps, no toilets 03 (5.88) 02 (3.92) 05 (9.80)

No electricity at the anganwadis 02 (3.92) - 02 (3.92) Food not enough for children 01 (1.96) - 01 (1.96)

Source: Field survey

It is seen from the above table that the anganwadi workers working under

the ICDS Programme in Goa face a number of problems. Around 35.29% of the

168

anganwadis do not have proper storehouse facilities. Besides this, 17.64% of the

anganwadi workers are affected due to no proper transport facilities to the

workplace. It is also seen that 15.68% of the anganwadi workers faced problems

due to small size of the anganwadi rooms. Around 17.64% complained that

there was no provision of slates, toys, books and charts and 17.64% complained

of the problem of insects at the anganwadi centers. Around 33.33% of the

anganwadi workers complained of no proper chairs, tables and cupboards. It is

also seen from the above table, that 19.60% of the anganwadi workers

complained of unhygienic place of location of the anganwadis in Goa. Besides

this, 45.09% of the anganwadi workers complained that the floors of the

anganwadis were mud floors and therefore it was difficult to maintain

cleanliness and that it added to the sickness of the children.

The same table also shows that around 9.80% of the anganwadi workers

complained that the parents of the beneficiaries send their children to the

anganwadis unhygienically dressed. This reflects the poverty of these

beneficiaries and also the carelessness of parents as far as hygiene is concerned.

Around 9.80% of the anganwadi workers face problems as there are no proper

taps and toilets at the anganwadis. Besides this, 3.92% of the anganwadi workers

face problems as there is no electricity supply at the anganwadis and 1.96% of

the anganwadi workers complained that the food provided /supplied under the

anganwadis is not enough for the children. The problems faced by the

169

anganwadi workers in Goa under the ICDS scheme are to a large extent due to

problems at the anganwadis and some problems are due to poor family

background, ignorance and illiteracy of the parents of the beneficiaries.

From the fmdings we conclude that the multiple problems faced by the

anganwadi workers come in the way of successful functioning of the Scheme in

Goa. The problems faced by the anganwadi workers were mainly due to

shortcomings at the anganwadis and also due to problems like illiteracy,

ignorance and poverty of the families of the beneficiaries.

170

(ix) SOME PROBLEMS FACED BY THE CDPOs OF WA.

Table no 4.5.9 shows some problems faced by the CDPOs of Goa.

TABLE NO: 4. 5.9 TABLE SHOWING SOME PROBLEMS FACED BY THE CDPOs OF GOA.

TA

LU

KA

S

Polit

ical

pre

ssur

e to

sta

rt ne

w

anga

nwad

is

No n

-ava

ilabi

lity

of o

ffic i

al v

e hic

le

Less

rent

pai

d fo

r ang

anw

adi c

entre

ow

ners

No

prop

er b

o oks

, toy

s at t

he a

ngan

wad

i r

entr

pc

No

prop

er o

ffice

pre

mis

es

Lack

of o

ther

infra

stru

ctur

al fa

c ilit

ies

Less

atte

ndan

ce o

r ave

rage

atte

ndan

ce

at a

ngan

wad

i cen

tres

Irre

gula

r hea

lth c

hec k

ups

Publ

ic p

ress

ure

to s

tart

new

ang

anw

a dis

lanai rIvnirl acp sacots .tadaid oN

Ang

anw

adi p

rem

ise s

in b

ad c

ondi

tion.

Bicholim - - Yes Yes Yes - - - - - _

Pernem - Yes Yes - - - - Yes - - _

Sanguem - - - - - - - Yes - - _

Sattari Yes Yes - - - - - Ye s -

-

Quepem - - - - - - - Yes Ye s -

-

Canacona - - - - - - - - - - -

Ponda - - Yes - - Yes Yes - - - Ye s

Bardez Yes Yes - - - - - - - - _ Salcete - Yes - - - - Yes -

Tiswadi - - - - Yes - -

No health checku ps - Yes

-

Mormugao - Yes - - - - - Yes - - - Source: Field survey

Table no 4.5.9 shows that 18.18% of the CDPOs had to start new

171

anganwadis due to political pressure. It is also seen that 45.45% of the CDPOs

faced problems due to non-availability of official vehicle and 27.27% of the

CDPOs faced problems as the rent paid to the anganwadi centre owners is very

less. Around 9.0% of the CDPOs complained about no proper books and toys at

the anganwadi centres and 18.18% complained about improper office premises.

Around 18.18 % of the CDPOs also complained about lack of infrastructural

facilities at the anganwadis. It is also noticed that 9.0% of the CDPOs

complained of less attendance at the anganwadi centres and 45.45% of the

CDPOs said that health checkups were not carried out regularly and 9.0% of the

CDPOs said that no health checkups were carried out. Around 18.18 % CDPOs

had to start new anganwadis due to public pressure, 9.0% had storehouse

problems at the taluka level and 9.0% complained about the bad state of the

anganwadis.

The CDPOs of Goa have highlighted a few problems but the field survey

to the anganwadis has brought out clearly the various other problems and their

magnitude. According to Ahluwalia. M. S. (1999), the present levels of leakages

from these poverty alleviation programmes are so high that major improvement

is needed in administrative capacity, including involvement of NGOs, to

improve the effectiveness of these programmes before attempting any significant

expansion in their scale.

172

From the fmdings it appears that the CDPOs themselves are not satisfied

with the way the programme is run in Goa.

4.6 SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS.

This chapter contains the following:

4. 1 - Introduction.

4. 2 - Socio-economic profile of the ICDS Programme beneficiaries of Goa.

4. 3 - The Criteria for determining the success of ICDS Programme in Goa.

4. 4 - Various other aspects about ICDS Programme of Goa.

4. 5 - The Monitoring authority of ICDS Programme in Goa.

4. 6 - Summary of Conclusions.

The following are the main conclusions drawn from this chapter.

(1) Only Children from the prescribed age-groups availed the

benefits of the anganwadis under the ICDS Programme in Goa. The majority of

the beneficiaries came from low economic backgrounds and the Programme

catered not only to the backward classes but majority of the beneficiaries

belonged to the general category.

(2) In Goa, majority of the children beneficiaries attending the

anganwadis were Hindus, which is probably due to a higher percentage of Hindu

population in Goa.

(3) The educational family background of the ICDS beneficiaries

173

attending the anganwadis in Goa was low, which added to low income earning

capacities and low quality of life of the families, ignorance, carelessness, etc.

(4) Even after attending the anganwadis and provision of

supplementary food there was still no improvement in the health of some of the

ICDS beneficiaries which could be because of poor nutrition, lack of hygiene at

the anganwadis, no proper infrastructure at the anganwadis, no proper

storehouses for the food grains, leaking roofs during the rains, insects, rats, no

proper kitchens, flies, no proper floors (potholes in the floors), mud floors, no

toilets, no proper sitting arrangements at the anganwadis, no proper water supply

facilities, no proper and timely medical checkups, no proper airy rooms, etc.This

probably accounts for the increase in the number of their visits to the doctor per

child after joining the anganwadis .

(5) The children beneficiaries of the anganwadis under the ICDS

Programme in Goa do not get the adequate calorie intake of 250 calories on

some days of the week, which is likely to affect the physical as well as the

mental growth of children and also result in malnutrition of various grades.

(6) Since majority of the children beneficiaries of ICDS

Programme were not supplied food according to the timetable, it reflected the

carelessness of the anganwadi workers and shortcomings in the working of

ICDS Programme in Goa. This also adds to the problem of malnutrition, ill-

health and it has also affected the future labour force of our state.

(7)Some of the anganwadi children do not like the environment of

174

the anganwadis. The repulsive behaviour of some of the children towards the

anganwadis could be because of lack of toys, serving of tasteless food, etc.

(8) Some of the anganwadi workers did not have proper knowledge

about childcare, they were ignorant, careless, inefficient in their work, there was

no accountability of their work, lack of monitoring by the higher authorities etc.

(9)Many of the anganwadi centres lacked in books, there were no

educative posters, etc.

(10)There was absenteeism among the anganwadi workers, which

effected the functioning of anganwadis in Goa.

(11)There was absence of basic amenities under the anganwadis of

Goa, which hindered the hygiene and sanitation.

(12) There were various infrastructural problems, problems of

inefficiencies by the anganwadi workers, inefficiencies in the selection of

anganwadi workers etc, which added to the overall mismanagement of the ICDS

Programme in Goa.

(13) The ICDS Scheme had failed in its objective of providing

regular health checkups to its children beneficiaries.

(14) There are no proper yardsticks for the allocation of Mukhya

Sevikas to different talukas according to the number of anganwadis in the

talukas. There exist discrepancies in the allocation of staff at the taluka level

under the ICDS Scheme in Goa. No proper strategies are laid down and

followed. Besides this, there are faults in planning and implementation of the

175

ICDS Programme in Goa.

(15)The CDPOs of Goa under the ICDS Scheme did not carry out

uniform number of meetings of the anganwadi workers at the taluka level.

Besides this there existed taluka-wise discrepancies in the number of visits to the

anganwadi centres made by the CDPOs and the Mukhya Sevikas of Goa during

a month. The ICDS Scheme in Goa lacked uniformity in its functioning at the

taluka level.

(16)Lack of provision of official vehicle, additional charge/work,

lack of accountability, etc resulted in inefficiency of some of the CDPOs and

Mukhya Sevikas.

(17)It was seen that 12% immunization has yet to be achieved by

the ICDS Scheme in Goa.

(18) The anganwadi workers do not possess any specialized

qualification/training in child- care, nutrition, hygiene etc.

(19) The ICDS scheme in Goa also catered to people above the

poverty line and some anganwadis did not attract children.

(20)The anganwadi workers did not follow the instructions given

to them and they did not take up their responsibilities seriously. The multiple

problems faced by anganwadi workers and the CDPOs affected the functioning

of the Scheme in Goa.

176