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Big boost to Anganwadi Centres in Odisha
Detail Description
The State Government has given a major thrust to construction of Aganwadi Centres through convergence of MGNREGA with W&CD Department. Due to special initiatives of the state, 232 numbers of Aganwadi centers have been completed in convergence mode during 2015-16.
Strategies Adopted
For construction of an Anganwadi Centre, Government of India has approved 4.5 lakhs per unit for 2013-14 which was insufficient. Hence, the Government of Odisha has decided to increase the estimated cost to 5 Lakh per each Anganwadi centre out of which the share of MGNREGS was Rs 2.25 lakhs and the share of W&CD Department was lakhs.
It was difficult to maintain the wage - material ratio of 60:40 at GP level during 2014-15 and 2015-16 period. Hence, to expedite the construction of AWCs as well as to maintain the wage-material ratio, the State Government has decided the Panchayat Samities (Block) to be the implementing Agency. Wherever it was not possible to complete the building within the estimated cost of 5 lakhs, it has been instructed to book the balance amount required beyond Rs 5 lakhs from MGNREGS.
Provision of child friendly green fencing was taken up separately from Mahatma Gandhi NREGS. The cost of water supply facilities and approach road for each Anganwadi Centre was met from CFC/SFC funds. Further, the districts have been instructed to identify the sites more than 20% of targets for construction of AWCs to avoid delay in construction.
Better financial planning
For proper convergence of funds of both schemes, two separate case record were opened i.e one case record for MGNREGS in which the total estimate of the AWC buildings highlighting the activities of works to be carried from MGNREGA were mentioned. In other case record, the estimate highlighting the W&CD Department activities of work were reflected. Separate cash books also maintained.
Capacity Building of Gram Panchayat Technical Assistant (GPTA)
For this purpose, a total of 1267 Gram Panchayat Technical Assistants (GPTA) engaged under MGNREGS across the state were provided five days residential training at a leading Engineering College in Bhubaneswar during 2015-16 to boost their capacity on model estimations, simplification measurement process, work planning etc. The outcomes of the training were noticeable in work progress and quick measurement which ensured timely allocation of works and timely payment of wages. This strengthens the technical knowledge base of the technical personnel engages at GP level
Monitoring at different level
To speed up the whole process and keep a vigil eye on the progress, a three tier monitoring mechanism has been adopted i.e at State Leve, District Level, and Block Level.
State Level: Commissioner-Cum-Secretary and Director, Special Projects review the progress of the Anganwadi Centre Buildings fortnightly through video conferencing. The same is also being monitored through the WhatsApp. Apart from this, officers of MGNREGS Odisha Society have been specially entrusted under the supervision of Joint Secretary, MGNREGS to monitor the progress on daily basis and report the same to Director Special projects regularly. The State Level Monitoring team has also provided technical guidance and other necessary tips to field functionaries to complete the project on time without compromising the quality. The platform has also given a two way communication between the field staffs who needed guidance and the State level policy makers.
District Level & Block Level: MGNREGS Co-coordinators under the supervision of Project Directors were monitored the progess at the district level. Similarly, the Block Development Officers (BDO) were monitored the whole process at the block level which was the implementing Agency.
Impact
The construction of AWC buildings provided a pucca building to the buildingless AWCs which is the fulcrum of convergence of several schemes relating to infants’ health , nutrition and early education. |
