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.
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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
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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.
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(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-
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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(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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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