This report would be useful for all engaged in training and education on social audit for nutrition and food security related programmes for ensuring 100 per cent deliveries in quality, quantity and access for all who are entitled for services and deliveries in education, nutrition and food security .The training was conducted under Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition supported and NACDOR led National Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity.

1. 2014
Training of Dalit and
Adivasi Leaders on
Social Audit for
Nutrition Security
Organised by NACDOR with the support of
Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition
(GAIN) at HPDC, Ranchi on 11-14
March,2014
The report covers the proceedings of training in three parts. Day one captures
classroom processes. Day two was dedicated to visit to the villages meeting
Anganwadi workers va visiting the schools by trainees. Day third was dedicated
to public hearing on findings of the observations
Draft: Dr.M.Mukhtar Alam
CADAM/NACDOR
1/1/2014

2. National Confederation of Dalit Organisations has initiated a National Campaign on
Nutrition for Dignity with a series of activities at the grassroot level, district level, state
level and national level in collaboration with the more than 2100 Dalit, Adivasi,OBC and
minorities led organisation with the critical support of Global Alliance for Improved
Nutrion (GAIN). In order to strengthen delivery as per the provisions making people
empowered for monitoring the execution of the programmes , social audit of nutrition and
food security related programmes is the most important activity at the grassroot level. In
order to make the Dalit and Adivasi leaders from the states of Jharkhand and Odhisha well
versed with the methodology of social audit, training in Ranchi was planned adopting a
methodology where classroom processes on social audit were followed by on the field
conduct and participation in social audit.
Day One: 11 March, 2014
The training on social audit started with the introduction of the participants from four
districts of Odhisha and four districts of Jharkhand. Out of the five districts only four
districts participated in the training. Shankar Das, Champa Devi, Laxman Lohra, Babloo
,Pulwinder fromLohardaga, Sanjay Kumar Ghadea, Matarani from Mayurbhanj, Ashok Malik
and Bidulata Malik from Kendrapada,A Laxmana from Korput,Kanti Kumari from
Hazaribagh,Munni Devi, Sewika , Tangar Toli, Masmano, Bhandra Block, Lohardaga,Urmila
Devi, Sewika, Bedal , Bhandra Block, Lohardaga,Promila Mehra and Neelam Kumari from
Giridih, Krishna Paswan, Dhnabad and others introduced themselves. Deepak, A Gupta,
Asian Sustainable Development Institute attended the inaugural session for learning on the
processes of social audit.
After introduction, Ashok Sinha initiated the proceedings of the training explaining the
following objectives of the training:
 Understanding the difference between primary and secondary information.
 Understand the social audit processes
 Understanding the stakeholders in nutrition agenda in the government, media, civil
society organisations Second objective is under the social audit
Munni Devi, Urmila Devi Anganwadi sahayika and Anganwadi worker was called to dais
with Prof.Himadri Sinha .This was a special strategy adopted for establishing the centrality
of AWW and Sahayika at the village level being the last point of delivery for the children
Mr. Ashok Sinha explained project as part of the National Campaign on Nutrition for
Dignity with detailed description of the state level , national level and grassroots level
processes. Describing the election time as an appropriate opportunity to securing
commitment from the political parties, he called for meeting the politicians and register
the demands of the campaign. “We are meeting the policy makers. We have a opportune
time for taking up this issue considering the fact that with election”. He explained the
NACDOR initiative for bringing together all the Dalit leaders at the state and national
level. Recognising the importance of all the stakeholders and dutybearers, he explained
about stakeholders.
Dr.Mukhtar Alam spoke on the criticality of the campaign reinforcing the communication
of Ashok Sinha on the mechanism for realising the nutrition agenda. He explained to the
district leaders about the intelligent and smart design of the programmes under NACDOR

3. led National Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity where grassroots activities were linked to
state based advocacy, national advocacy and then representation of NACDOR at
international forum ensured that critical learning from the campaign were shared at all
levels in order to bring in critical changes in policy and programming for nutrition security
of Dalits , Adivasis and vulnerable groups across the social, cultural and religious groups.
The campaign envisaged the
overall thrust of synchronising
actions at all levels simultaneously
in order to ensure that none were
left behind.
Ms. Promila Mehra district leader
from Giridih, National Campaign
on Nutrition for Dignity and BDC
member addressing the inaugural
session informed about the Nigrani
Samiti that has been formed. She
informed about how the Nigrani
Samiti with a mandate for
monitoring the implementation of
ICDS at the village needs to
Figure 1 Social Audit Training Session, HPDC,Ranchi
function better addressing the issue of children and women while taking up the issues of
ICDS workers. She cited the example of increased number of women who needed support,
but the allocation were not increased proportionately. She felt that ANM, AWW and
sahayika coordinated well for increased number of beneficiaries. There are instances
when AWW use their money to purchase the provision at times when they do not receive
the payment in time. Locals feel that AWW eat out of the provisions for children. Hence,
she felt Nigrani Samiti ( would be working better for ensuring transparency. However,
she shared that Nigrani Samiti s at all place were not working properly. She called for
regular civil society engagement for making Nigrani Samiti es If the malnutrition has to be
eradicated, Nigrani Samiti should be facilitated to functional through civil society
engagement.
Mrs.Urmila Devi , Anganwadi Worker at village Bedal of Logardaga district spoke on her
work sharing some pieces of work like visiting houses and immunising children. She said
from pregnancy to delivery, AWW and sahiya (the popular word for assistant anganwadi
worker) is active
Mrs. Munni Devi , an Anganwadi worker shared her work at Tangartoli in village Masmano
of Lohardaga district . She informed that new born is given medicine and children in the
age group 3 to 6 children are being given education. Also, she informed that she plays with
the children.
Prof. Himadri Sinha said that he came for his commitment to eradicating social exclusion,
nutrition and social audit. He expressed his happiness that those who were his students
are part of the national campaign on Nutrition for Dignity. He appreciated NACDOR and
GAIN for ensuring that Anganwadi worker is given the stage in the training on social audit

4. for ensuring. On the change processes that change the traditional equations in society, he
observed that when there is change, there are some who resist.
Reflecting on the social realities, he felt that insensitivity to social exclusion is increasing.
He felt that all of us are responsible for this negligence of the excluded. Recalling the
impact of caste based attitudes killing the constitutional ideals, he referred to an
observation during 40 day rural camp in the village as part of the curriculum of XISS
curriculum. He referred to one of his camp in Bero where he observed that some children
are not eating. He found out after enquiring that children did not bring the plate. He was
told that children were not allowed to bring the plates by their families considering the
fact that Dalit and Adivasi cooks were there in the school. Considering such experiences,
He appreciated the National Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity. He felt that it is urgent
that we need to campaign for nutrition. There are some who are not interested in change.
He thanked NACDOR for launching the National Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity and
hoped that the campaign would spread across the states. Responding to description, he
expressed deep satisfaction that National Confederation of Dalit Organisations has
initiated the campaign with lot of seriousness. “I am happy that serious work on nutrition
is going to take place nationally and in the state of Jharkhand”.
Reflecting on the way, vision for Jharkhand He recalled how Jharkhand was created with
great hopes but realised that these hopes have been dashed. He wondered as to the first
time, when non-plan expenditure is more than the plan expenditure. After 13 years,
Jharkhand government realised that plan expenditure is to be more. Ashok Singh,
Secretary, Government shamelessly announced that 13000 crore was returned. When
there is money in plan expenditure and if the same is not used, this is loss of the state,
this is loss for the people for whom money is allotted. He called for monitoring the
expenditure under plan. He wanted to ensure that plan expenditure is optimum.
One of the important reason that made him decide to come for the training was because
he associated with social audit and considered this as a powerful instrument for making
governance accountable, responsive and transparent .Informing about the
recommendations that he made during the social audit of ICDS in the three states of
Jharkhand, Odhisha and Bihar, he expressed happiness over the acceptance of some of the
recommendations. He suggested that education should be also address for social auditing.
Education should be also added in the campaign. He assured support for the campaign
and said that campaign is very important for realising the goal of nutritional security.
Ashok Sinha expressed happiness about the suggestions and sought the report on three
states that Prof. Sinha had done on ICDS. Ashok Sinha said that we would be taking the
issues from Panchayat to Parliament.
Shweta Guria, programme officer, NACDOR for the state of Jharkhand thanking Prof. Sinha
expressed happiness about the involvement of grass roots AWW. She felt that all should
have the confidence in sharing. Through sharing, it would be possible to assert more
without thinking that someone knew more and someone was more inferior.
In the post tea session, Ashok Sinha shared about NACDOR and NCND. How does one
identify oneself is important. Why we are taking this campaign? We are engaged in

5. campaign in order to integrate the Dalit issues in national agenda. He explained the work
at the Panchayat , state and national level that would be taken up in the campaign.
Participants suggested social audit of ASHA and AWW sahayaki as well.
In the post lunch session, social audit was defined as an instrument to examine the
delivery of the services by social groups with the following principles:
 Transparency: operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions
are performed in a project or scheme.
 Accountability: acknowledgment and assumption of responsibilities for actions and
answerablility of resulting consequences
 Social audit: a public assembly convened by Gram Sabha as part of the process of
social audit
 Vigilance : A state of keeping careful watch for possible dangers or difficulties . In
order to ensure that there is no danger in the future. In the case of nutrition, one
needs to ensure that there is no more malnutrition
 Participatory ( participation of all duty bearers and beneficiaries)
 Grievance redressal ( grievance ‘shikayat’ is an official statement for exposing
unfair practices. A mean of continuous public vi
 Verifiability
Intense discussions were held on the principles and terms used in the social audit
processes. Social Audit is the right of the Gram Sabha. It was explained that principles are
important to be internalised. Mr. Sinha shared the experience of Khadda where there were
people from the government office who reached to find what was going to happen. One
fourth class employed from the office of Khadda block had reached to find out about the
training and visit of training to the villages of Hanumanganj and Bhagwanpur.
He explained that Problem, grievance and demand are three key words for social audit
that must be understood.
There are two types of audit- financial and social. Financial audit is done by expert.
General financial audit is done each year by government, non government organisations
and expert. All financial audit is by the expert not by society. Social audit is for quality
and quantity. In the Panchayat raj, all these social audits are done by Gram Sabha . Social
audit is provision for each stage of the project for the entire duration. He gave an
example of ICDS where SMS is sent each day. He informed that Social audit cannot be done
with primary information and there is need to collect evidences for claims.
On the features of social audit, he explained the following:
 Provides a platform for people for discussing the provisions, delivery and
expectations
 Empowering the people in the Gram Sabha specially those who are not heard
 Forum for learning about the budget and expenditure
 Ensures participation of excluded groups such as Dalits, Adivasis and minorities.
 Powerful instrument for prevention of corruption and discrimination

6. Processes in social audit:
1. Learning on the schemes and identification of issues
2. Collecting information on the rule for schemes
3. Informing the Gram Sabha ,government officials
4. Informing all the constituents
5. Identifying local issues related to schemes such as discrimination of children, lack
of utensils
6. Clarifying on the date and duration of social audit, reporting
7. Organise village meeting and informing the processes
8. Formation of Social Audit Group and training
9. Finalising indicator for schemes such as whether food is given
10. Collection of documents for the MDM, and understanding the legal basis for
documents for collecting the document
11. Consultation with the social audit groups
12. Preparing for social audit
13. Presentation of the information through charts showing the contrast and comparing
the information and showing to village
14. Resolution of Gram Sabha for conducting the social audit for information
15. Fixing the date for social audit
16. Encouraging people to speak on the day of public hearing .shared the example of
how a girl child
17. Social Audit Group and other representatives need to decided on the processes of
jury members
18. Forming the Jury with media representatives for listening to the issues and
responding with recommendations
Organising Public Hearing with the following steps:
 Report of the Gram Sabha
 Resolution of the Gram Sabha
 Charter of demand
 Report preparations
 Filing the grievance with the concerned officials
 Report on the impact of social audit
Role of Gramsabha:
 To ensure that all Dalits , Adivasis and minorities are heard
 To ensure that resolutions capture the expressed needs and issues
 Role of government :
 To ensure acceptance of social audit group
 To arrange for social
 To work on the report of the social audit
Further, it was explained that concerned departments to act on the issues related to them
. For example, department of women and children would be addressing the issue raised on
ICDS. It is important to following up with the departments. He emphasised that National

7. Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity ensured holistic work linking grassroots learning for
administrative action at the block and district level to addressing the policy gaps at the
state and national level.
Role Social Audit Group
 To inform on the provision of the scheme
 To have knowledge of the facts for the implementation of the scheme. For
example learning on the number of children
 To ensure participation of people in the village
 To collect the grievance in writing with signatures
 To ensure participation of those who have to share their experiences
He informed that after the formation of social audit group, a letter should be written to
the district officials ensuring acceptance of social audit group. Further, he informed that
social audit group could be given an identity and this could be distributed among the
members of the social audit group.
To establish the identity of organisation is the key mantra of the process. One needs to
have this identity.
Need for identity card for district leaders and associates (among the trainees or the one
recommended by the district leader) by NACDOR is urgently needed. This need was
expressed in UP as well where, it was agreed that letter would be written to district
collector with a cc to the district leaders.
Participants were asked to review the deliberations. As part of review, Krishna Paswan
shared that social audit process would enable people to ensure best delivery of quality and
quantity.
On Myths that needs to be broken, trainees were explained that:
 Social audit is for blaming government officials. This is prejudice that need to
removing through taking government officials on board explaining them on the
common goal of best delivery in quality and quantity as per the provision.
 There are some among the members of the Gram Sabha who think that if the
problems are highlighted, then benefits would stop. This needs to explained
through sharing on the rights and entitlements.
 Other issues are discussed rather than the issues for which social audit is planned.
 There is lack of awareness on the social audit process.
 Effective constituency runs away from the social audit.
He highlighted the importance of the participation of Gram Sabha leaders. Gram Sabha
can be organised but without the presence of Pradhan and Panchayat secretary, there is
no legality for the process. Thus, he underlined the importance of the presence of
Pradhan and Panchayat Secretary for the effectiveness of social audit.
If both do not come, then request to the BDO will have to in writing for being present on
the occasion of social audit. If BDO will come then secretary and Gram Pradhan would be
automatically joining.

8. For the Precautions, Mr.Sinha called for following:
 Stay away from controversies
 Be realistic
 Listen to all
 Do not engage in debate unduly
 Conduct the processes without showing biases
 Engage all
Concluding the day, processes on the field visit were discussed. Requested all to know
about ICDS and MDM beforehand. Mixed group from among the trainees from Odhisha and
Jharkhand were formed. Two groups for two villages were formed as follows:
Group I- for Bedal village
1. Shweta ,
2. Shankar Das,
3. Neelam Besra,
4. Vidulata Malik
5. Champa
6. Matarani
7. Hemant Kumar Sethi
8. Ashok Malik.
9. Luxman Lohra
10. Dr.M.Mukhtar Alam
11. Dablu Sahu
Group II- for Masmano
1. Sanjay Kumar Ghadea,
2. A Laxana,
3. Ajay Kumar Kandi,
4. Promila Mehra,
5. Krishna Paswan,
6. Pratap C Mishra ,
7. Ashok K Sinha
8. Kanti Kumari
9. Neelam Kumari
10. Pulendra Kumar Mahto
Day Two: 12 March 2014 Visit to villages
The team boarded train from Ranchi to Lohardaga. Mr.Ashok Sinha, Programme Director,
NACDOR and Shweta Guria went to meet the district officials seeking their participation in
the social audit.
Visit to ICDS, Tangar Tola, Masomano

9. After initial discussion on ICDS with the facilitation of Dr Mukhtar Alam in the first group,
Ms. Bidulata Malik and Champa Devi discussed with Anganwadi worker on the provisions as
per the existing norms in Jharkhand:
For children in the age groups of 7 Months -3 years, she informed on the quantities of
items for cooked food per child as per the following measurement:
1. Rice 60 gram
2. 10 gram dal
3. Soya Buree 10 gram,
4. refined oil -5 gram
5. Sugar -38 gram
Provisions for women are as follows:
1. Rice 80 gram
2. Dali 20 gram
3. Soya Burrie 20 gram
4. Oil -10 gram
5. Sugar 25 gram
For Children in the age group of 3-6 years, following are the provisions
1. Rice - 75 gram ,
2. Dal -10 gram
3. 5 gram Soya Burree,
4. Oil for wheat dalia day 6 gram
5. Oil for Chana sattu : 3 gram,
6. Sugar for Dalia-12.5 gram,
7. Sugar for Channa Sattu: 15 gram,
8. Vegetable- 15 gram,
9. Cooking fuel /Jalwan per child 3 paise. ( two time cooking is there once for Dalia
and another time for lunch)
Mrs. Munni Devi informed that
for January, February poshahar
money has not been received.
She lamented that people do not
know this. On the question as to
how, nutrition was being
provided for the children and
women, she informed that she
was arranging all through
borrowing.
Women are given dry ration. She
informed that cost of rice is
given at the rate of Rs.18 per kg
, but she was buying at the rate
Figure 2 Discussions on Findings of Visit to ICDS and MDM at Masmano,
Lohardago,Jharkhand

10. of Rs.26 per Kilogram, even the lowest rate is Rs.20 per Kilogram. Rate is given low and
money is not given in time. On queries as to how she was managing without receiving
money in time, she informed that she was purchasing ration on credit and she was
managing through Mahila Mandal . Bidulata asked whether she complained to officials, she
said that she was sending the reports but no action was taken in this regard. She informed
that Rs.4000 was not paid in the last month.
Record findings:
 THR list had list of women receiving benefit from anganwadi and health
deparment. 13 women are examined, immunised and given nutrition.
 9 lactating mother are receiving DPT and polio at the interval of 1.5 month, second
on 2.5 month, third in 3.5 month and in the 9 month , vitamin A dose is given along
with vaccination for Khasra.
 Vitamin A dose is given till 5 years at the interval of six months. Booster at 1.5, 3
years and 5 years.
 Survey is done at the interval of three months.
 Growth Chart for 30 children in the age group of 0-5 year .Rose color is for girls ,
green color is for boys.
 Attendance register for children and AWW is there. Birth and death register is also
there.
 Mukhyamantri Ladli Yojna has 9 beneficiary. 5 girls have received the Rs.6000 per
month.
 Stock register is there for keeping record of materials that are bought.
 Children 10 boys and 9 girls are enrolled. 6 boys from SC, 3 general, 1 ST. Among
girls, 3 SC, 5 ST and one general.
 Arm measurement is done through tape that was found available there.
 Due to delay in payment , Munni Devi is taking money at interest for the purchase
of poshahar for children and women. Earlier , quality of furry
 Kishori girl is not part of ICDS in Jharkhand. Now school is giving for 14-18 age.
Sookha ration is closed for the last two years.
 Water arrangement is not there. Toilet is there ,but not functional
 Anganwadi centre constructed in 1993 and repaired in 1999
 Neelam Devi, Sheetal Devi were suggested as part of meeting of beneficieries at
Masmano.
 Munni Devi sought the copy of the letter sent to collector as her name appeared in
the newspaper.
 In 93-94 ICDS building constructed, repaired in 99 and since then nothing has
happened.
Lal Ranjit Nath Sahdev extended hospitality for the entire team at his school in the village
at the community hall constructed with the MLA fund. He was kind to organise
accommodation of all the female participants inside his house as there there was only one
hall for all.
In the evening at Masmano village, discussions were held on the observations made by the
teams in the village of Bedal and Masmano in a meeting:

11. Mid Day Meal Team observations at Masmano:
Neelam Besra shared her observations. Children complained of the poor quality of food,
absence of toilets. She informed that children Format was filled. She ensured that all the
issues were attended. Average attendance of children was 75% less by 25%..
Mid Day Scheme observations at Bedal
Pratap Chandra Mishra informed that he could not go as he could not differentiate
between the groups. Pratap informed that para teacher did not know all the provisions of
MDM.
Ashok K Sinha explained that we need to have roles clear as social audit group. We need
to be clear about the roles and steps in the social audit. He informed that public hearing
would be at 12 o clock.
ICDS observations at Masmano:
Vidulata Mallick shared her observations. Private school enrolment and migration has
affected the enrolment at the ICDS. There are19 children attending while the enrolment is
for 30 against the provision of 40 children. Building is not in good shape and not repaired
after 1999.
Mrs. Munni Devi responded that complaints have been made for toilet. Format for the
status of ICDS was there and it was being filled. Now, she informed ‘Office is not given the
format for filling about the status of ICDS. Since, September 2014, format is not being
sent. Villagers had contributed for the repair of pump, but the problem could not be
solved as the pump continued to have problems . Hence, children after receiving food are
returning to homes for eating. She informed that supervisor is coming on THR day.
February 8,2014 was the last when supervisor came. That means more than a month
elapsed since the supervisor as we visited the ICDS on 12th March. She should be coming
each month but she is not being able to reach. She came in February 8 2013.
On the query as to whether anyone visited from the district office last year. Mrs.Munni
Devi informed that DC and DPO came on June 28 2013. She informed that People are not
interested in AWC. On the number of malnourished children in the village, she informed
that there are 3 malnourished children.
Jan Sunwai at Durga Pooja Chauk agreed at Masmano.
Findings of the visit to MDM at Primary school , Bedal
 Sanitation problem is there , Condition is not good
 Phenyl is provided
 Three cooks are there at the schools
 Checking is done by teachers
 Cooked food is tested by the teachers
 There is no label for MDM ration.
 Monthly lifting is there
 360 children are there. Most are STs one SC is there. One girl is coming from Arko.

12.  Kitchen is not good. Classroom is used for cooking food.
 Soap is provided. Plate is given by school.
ICDS Bedal observations were shared in the preparatory meeting for public hearing. It was
agreed that all the issuex would be put on the chart paper for sharing in the public hearing
.One trainee from Odhisha and another from Jharkhand would be presenting the findings.
Third Day : March 13, 2014 Masmano Jansunwai /Public Hearing proceedings:
As per prior information to people in
Masmano village, people gathers at a
public place chosen by the village. The
place was Durga Puja Place with a lawn
in front. Women were seated on beat
as per the local norms and men sat in
the front. Place being very small, it
was not possible to arrange chairs .Also
considering the small support for social
audits in project, it was decided that
local arrangements would be preferred
rather than hiring elaborate
arrangements for public hearing and
Gram Sabha. Due to code of conduct
for parliamentary election, we have
prior information that government
Figure 3 Mr.Luxman Lohra on the Follow up Actions after Public
Hearing on ICDS and MDM at Masmano village,Bhandara
Block,Lohardaga,Jharkhand
officials would not be reaching for social audit though permission had been granted for
conducting the social audit proceedings by the district collector.
Following issues related to ICDS at Masmano were shared:
 Building is damaged
 Toilet is not functional;
 Hand pump is not functional
 CDPO comes in 3-4 months
 Supervisor is not coming each month
 Only 19 children are enrolled while there is provision for 40. Reasons for the
missing children were cited. Migration of families to urban areas was cited as a
reason.
 The Sewika is not receiving payment in time
 Honorarium is not given time
 3 Malnourished children are in the village
 Lack of cleanliness and hygiene at the centre
 Rice rate is given Rs.18 per kg while there is nothing available at this rate.
 VHNDs are being observed.
Among the mother’s who responded, Seema Devi said that she did not know how much is
the provisions under ICDS. Seema Devi informed that : Rice ,pulse ,refined oil is being
given .

13. AWW is not receiving the rate that is being paid for purchase of rice. For the complaints
on the water pump, Munni Devi sevika shared about Mukhiya who according to her has
been saying that he does not have the number of the plumber /mistry. There are many
places where tube well is not functioning. Villages are aware of the toll free number.
Bharat Ram said that toll free number in not working. He shared his work as facilitator for
the entire block and informed that there are two hand pumps are not working in the
village. He did not file complaint in writing. There is only one Jan Sahiya for one revenue
village.
On Mid Day Meal Scheme, following were shared:
1. Boundary wall is incomplete.
2. Damaged well is there in the school that is not conducive for children’s play
3. 300-350 children are enrolled but 25% children are generally absent.
4. Only one spoon of rice is given, if children ask for more, they are rebuked.
5. One room is damaged and very old.
6. Officers are not coming to inspect the food
7. Cooks are not receiving honorarium
8. There are no plates for children in the school
9. SMC meeting is not taking place
Mr Lal Jai Prakash Nath, President of SMC responding to the observations said that
monthly meetings should be taking place . He confessed that in the last three years, no
meeting has taken place in the last three years. 25-30% children are absent daily. 20 % of
children are playing on roads now. He promised that meetings would now be regular in
order to ensure best quality in education.
On the way back from public hearing, team members visited the Anganwadi to watch
immunisation by ASHA worker Rizwana Khatoon with Roqayya Begum. From the
equipments for which list was not seen, it appeared that ANM has been provided with
adequate number of equipments for monitoring the growth of children and prescribing
inoculation and medicines for pregnant and lactating mothers.
After the conclusion of public hearing, teams left for Lohardaga for boarding train to
Ranchi.
Day Four: March 14, 2014, HPDC: Recapitulation, Firming up plans for Social Audits
Sessions was dedicated to recapitulation of the deliberations and on the field conduct of
social audit and public hearing. Ashok Sinha called for sharing of the observations.
Gurjeet Singh, an expert on social audit was called for explaining the social audit. He
explained that ICDS has reference for the formation of Nigrani Samiti constituted by the
villagers including mothers of the children. In the social audit, he informed that examining
quantity, quality, periodicity, and behaviour is important. How much is given, what is
quantity that is given, whether the quantity given is as per the stipulated norms. How
many times if given and how the services are being delivered.
On the rights of conducting the social audit, he said Gram Sabha has a right to conduct
social audit. He called for under social distribution, verify orally from beneficiaries, verify

14. the documents and records physically and then compare the documents. After three forms
of verifications, he informed that assessment of gap found in the verification reports is the
outcome of social audit. These gaps are presented to the Gram Sabha. Gram Sabha report
is validated. When all the Panchayat reports are done then Panchayat level public hearing
is to be organised. Thus the processes according to him in the conduct of the report are
the following:
 Taking reports on distribution from the CDPO
 Verification of reports orally by the benficieries
 Physical verification
 Comparing the documents
 Gap in the verification reports is the social audit
 Gaps are presented to Gram Sabha
 Gram Sabha reports are validated
 When all the Gram Sabha reports are ready and validated the public hearing is
called
 Conduct of the public hearing
 Filing the report of the public hearing and collecting the documenting the decision
of the Jury
 Submission of the application with problems and demands to the concerned
authorities.
He shared the experience of a social audit of ICDS, where children were not found
enrolled at two centres as per the
reports provided in this regard. For the
impact of the social audit, he informed
10000 centres increased after the
conduct of social audit. Sharing the
information of the 16,000 centre does
not have weighing machines. On the
number of children found at the centres
against the enrolment figures, he shared
that he had not seem more than 11
children at a centre .Social audits are
powerful. He shared his experience on
the impact of social audits. The impact
was electrical , he informed that after
the social audit , Panchayat centres
Figure 4 Mr.Gurjeet Singh and Mr.Balram sharing learning on
Social Audit
started functioning. He shared the experience of a school that had 800 children where
Mid-Day Meal was being fed the whole. He called for planning social audits properly. He
called for planning the intervention without behaving like an external auditor.
Some of the desirables in the social audit were shared as below:
 We need to support the processes for organising the social audit.
 We need to support the processes.
 We need to support and cooperate.
 We need to conduct the processes comprehensively.

15.  We need to ensure that policy gaps are addressed.
 We need to work for finding out the ways for addressing the policy gaps .
On the importance of social audit, he enumerated the following critical impacts:
 Social audit is for deepening democracy.
 When social audit is done, people are empowered.
 Social audit established the power of people
 Establishes democracy and deepens it
 Builds the capacity of Gram Sabha
 Deepens democracy
 Establishes probity
 Makes all equal participants in governance making it accountable, transparent and
responsive
Mr.Ashok K Sinha called Mr.Balram associated with Right to Food campaign for
strengthening the resolve of trainees and generates inspiring them in the struggle for
nutrition security for Dalits, Adivasis and all vulnerable communities. He emphasised that
social audit process is for strengthening the democracy. For illustrating the case of laws
with adequate implementation without any strings creating hurdles in the delivery, he
brought in the example of a just king who arranged for a bell to be rung at all time, but
created a circle for ensuring that king was not disturbed all the time. Through this
example, he communicated that we need to ensure that laws are implemented for the
common good.
He referred to MNREGA where tribal and Dalit sub plan component money of 64,000 crore
is being used. In ICDS, he pointed out that more than half of the money allotted in ICDS is
from tribal sub plan. Pointing out the violations in the use of Tribal and SC Component
Plan money, he informed about the instance where swimming pool, bridges, airport
expansion is being constructed using the tribal sub plan and SC sub plan.
Bemoaning the policy direction for contracting out ICDS supplies, he expressed serious
apprehension for the suggestion that companies should be contacted to supply the ICDS
centres in order to create regularity in the supplies for ICDS. In this regard, he informed
that Secretary, WCD, Government of Jharkhand was suggesting that a company should be
contracted for giving the nutritional inputs.
For taking the precautions against social audit being used for extracting more money from
the Panchayat representatives, he referred to some district officials who had called some
people to give in false testimonies on the occasion of social audit. He pointed out that this
technique was used to threaten the Pradhans suggesting that if they did not give money,
social audit reports would go against them or they would be subject to social audit.
Therefore, he called for ensuring that social audit is not used for making corrupt more
corrupt. On precautions, he informed on the following measures that should be taken:
 All the guidelines , government orders, provisions should be known
 When, there is social audit, training of all engaged in social audit should be done.
 Social audit’s first step is to inform about the organisation conducting social audit
in order to bridge trust deficits between people and the organisations.

16.  When, social audit is done, a common mans gets the power to ask the questions
and thus all in the village should be made aware of the social audit process.
On the importance of social audit, he observed that social audit is a powerful tool for
organising people. As a result of social audit, he informed that labour organisations are
being formed. Similarly, he felt that social audit of ICDS may result in forming organisation
of the mothers. Social audit of Mid Day Meal Scheme might result in the formation of
organisation of parents. Thus, he concluded that social audit is an important way to
strengthen all specially those who are historically marginalised and contemporarily
marginalised. The processed of social audit generates ownership of the community.
He informed about three outcomes of the social audit:
1. Community Ownership of ICDS ensured: It is our responsibility to make the
community own the ICDS .One of the indicator of this would be community
managing the ICDS. For example ,the day when she did not come to ICDS, people
would be looking after the ICDS centre and kids. This would be possible when
community developed the sense of owning the ICDS. Community gets empowered
to own the ICDS. Community ownership is generated through social audit. Gram
Sabha has the right to change the Sewika. Gram Sabha, dealer, Meth, schools,
Sahayika , Meth can all be changed.
2. Administrative gap addressed: Social audit ensures that bridging administrative
gaps through bringing all the information together on provisions and delivery.
3. Policy gaps are addressed: If budget is not sanctioned then there is an issue. We
need to ask the MLA and MP. In Jharkhand, this did not happen due to political
issue.
Before the conduct of social audits, he said the following steps should be taken:
 Action plan should be made for six months for social audit.
 When we start the social audit processes. We need to ensure that all the
preparations are made.
 Each step should be planned in detail with action responsibilities and leadership
responsibility for ensuring the delivery of the final outcome that is impact on the
delivery at the grassroots level.
Mr.Sudeep Nayak associated with Nutrition programme of CNI, Referred to Dr. BR
Ambedkar’s struggle for locating the struggle against discrimination in India. He wondered
whether people are living with dignity as he realised that Adivasis and Dalits are still
oppressed lot. He shared that Adivasis and Dalits are being oppressed, schemes limit with
hunger. He felt that political power was important and till the time there is no political
power, Dalits and Adivasis would not be getting the rights. He felt that there are many
candidates who after receiving power forget their communities. Referring to corruption,
he informed about corruption at various levels. He informed that administration knows
about the issues; however there is not much improvement.
Reflecting on Odhisha situation with reference to the status of Dalits and Adivasis, he said
Odhisha situation is better than Jharkhand. In Jharkhand, he complained that Gram Sabhas
has not been given power, block office people are the ones who are preparing plans .

17. Community based participatory planning is not being ensured. He called for empowering
people and creating power in the people. Further, he called for strengthening the Gram
Sabhas while noting the challenges that are emerging in the villages where migration is
taking place at a much accelerated pace. He stressed that Gram Sabha would be powerful
only when they are engaged on the critical issues of planning. Describing the current
situation in the villages, he said that people were migrating and villages are getting
empty. Informing about the call of food sovereignty, he said much needs to be done in
policy and programming for ensuring food sovereignty. On the misuse of SC component
budget that could be used for SC habitations, he shared his experience about his visit to
Darbhanga where helipad was made in the name of playground for children. Sharing these,
he described social audit to be an important process for making governance accountable.
In the first half of the day training concluded with a resolve for ensuring that social audits
are conducted under National Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity in order to ensure
realisation of food and nutritional security through making delivery better qualitatively
and quantitatively.
Conclusion:
The training on social audit showed the importance of social audit itself through practice
demonstration of the importance of social audit
processes in the village of Masmano where we
could find the provisions, gaps, complaints and
demands. With concluding discussions with Mr.
Luxman Lora in the morning of 15th March for the
follow up actions, the training came to a
conclusion with the first preparatory meeting of
the Jharkhand State Steering Committee meeting.
Action points emerging in the deliberation of the
Steering Committee followed diligently would
generate substantial result for the campaign both
in the short term and long term.
Figure 5 NACDOR with Social Audit Trainees at
Masmano,Lohardaga, Jharkhand