After CAG’s report on diversion of funds to the tune of Rs 1.41 crore for activities not permitted under the ICDS scheme between 2006 and 2010, several questions have been raised by the civil society regarding the budget provision for young children of the State under the scheme.
A recent budget analysis by city -based voluntary organisation CYSD has revealed the fact that the total budget under ICDS has failed to serve the young children of the State, who constitute 12 per cent of State’s total population.
According to the report, State’s allocation for early childhood care and development programmes in 2012-13 was only 3.14 per cent of the total State budget and 0.63 per cent of GSDP which is very negligible for 50.36 lakh children (12 per cent of the total State population) in the age group of 0-6 years and 63.06 lakh children in the age group of 6-14 years.
Former finance Minister Panchanana Kanungo lamented on the non compliance of the budgetary provisions and improper allocation of budget for the young children of the State.
He raised some genuine questions regarding ignorance of civil society and beneficiaries about many opportunities like crèche facilities in MGNREGA.
He pointed out on decentralisation of ECCD programmes which has been implemented by the Kerala Government.
Dharitri Patnaik, India Representative of Bernard van leer foundation, which has been supporting the mother tongue -based multilingual early childhood education for tribal children in Odisha, emphasised on proper curriculum and pedagogy for early learning in the State and more budgetary allocation on teaching learning materials, trained teachers and infrastructure. She said the need of the hour is not quantitative monitoring but monitoring qualitative outcome of the ICDS services.
Members from Odisha Adivasi Manch were peeved at not having sufficient budget provision for the basic needs of the Anganwadi centres (AWCs) in tribal region. They pointed out on the need of mother tongue based education, sufficient AWCs, proper infrastructure and engaging community people in AWCs of tribal region.
Among others, PK Sahu from CYSD, Mihir Mohanty, Bikas Das from ClAP, Santosh padhy from CYSD were present and gave their valuable opinion on different issues related to budgetary provision of ICDS system in Odisha.