An audit report reveals how the Chandigarh administration has made a colossal waste of money totalling Rs 1.66 crore in renting Anganwadi centres between the financial years 2018-19 and 2022-23. The report, obtained through RTI, requests that these irregularities and mismanagement be addressed under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme.
The needless expenditure on rented space for Anganwadi centres has tarnished the ICDS program, which aims to improve the nutritional and health condition of children aged 0–6. The audit revealed that three project officers of the ICDS program did not comply with explicit recommendations from the Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 scheme, which required the relocation of rental centres to government-owned premises.
The audit also noted that the project officers could have prevented this by moving the Anganwadi centres to neighbour government buildings or schools instead of releasing Rs 56.96 lakh, Rs 66.25 lakh, and Rs 43.32 lakh, respectively, towards rent.
The audit study revealed anomalies in the purchase of “poshan laddoo” for expectant and nursing mothers in addition to the needless rent payments. The government may have to pay more as a result of the procurement process’s circumvention of the tendering procedure.
The RTI activist, RK Garg, expressed concern over the lack of action taken by the UT Home Department despite the audit pointing out these irregularities. The department had claimed to be working on a mechanism to monitor audit objections but has failed to deliver.
The audit report’s conclusions cast significant doubt on the Chandigarh administration’s effectiveness and accountability. Rent was an unnecessary expense that could have been used to raise the standard of care given to expectant mothers and children. The anomalies in the procurement procedure also point to a lack of financial responsibility and transparency.
As soon as possible, Chandigarh governments should act on audit report concerns and establish policies to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. It is important to use public funds designated for children’s welfare responsibly and openly.
