Bandipora : District Development Commissioner (DDC) Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib has ordered a district-wide social audit of Anganwadi Centres across the district.
The initiative aims to review the implementation of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme through a participatory and transparent process involving both officials and community stakeholders.
Prior to the commencement of the social audit, capacity-building and orientation of officers deployed for the audit was conducted through the Social Audit Unit.
As per the directions issued by the District Development Commissioner, Bandipora, training of trainers for the Social Audit was conducted by the Director, Social Audit Unit, to ensure effective and standardized conduct of the audit process.
As part of the exercise, beneficiaries, including pregnant and lactating mothers, community members, former Panchayat representatives and volunteers are participating in the audit proceedings at Anganwadi Centres across various blocks of the district. The initiative is intended to enhance awareness about ICDS services and to assess the delivery of nutrition, early childhood education and allied components under the scheme, including the Poshan Bhi Parhadi Bhi initiative.
The social audit is being conducted as a fact-finding and review exercise, focusing on verification of records, availability and quality of supplementary nutrition, maintenance of kitchen utensils, beneficiary attendance and service delivery outcomes. Audit findings are being shared in public meetings and documented in resolution registers and structured questionnaires to ensure transparency and accountability.
The exercise has also provided a platform for women beneficiaries and community members to share feedback and suggest improvements in service delivery. Inputs from school teachers regarding children’s attendance and learning outcomes are also being documented as part of the audit process.
The district administration has emphasized that the social audit is aimed at strengthening service delivery mechanisms and promoting accountability through community participation, with the objective of improving the overall effectiveness of ICDS interventions in the district.