NACDOR organised 5 day training on social audit for Dalit and Adivasi leaders as part of the National Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity was held at Marwari Dharamshala, Khadda in the Kushi Nagar district with the support of Global Alliance for Nutrition (GAIN). The location was chosen for the proximity of the villages where on the field demonstration of the social audit processes were intended and this was executed successfully between 4-8 March. The first two days was dedicated to classroom introduction with group work on the situation of Dalits and Adivasis, assessment of ICDS , MDM and PDS. On the third day, two teams each (one for examining and informing on MDM and another for ICDS) was made for visiting the villages of Hanumanganj and Bhagwanpur in the Khadda block of district Kushinagar. Gram Sabha was held on 7 March in both villages on 7 March ,2014 and Public hearing was held in both villages on 8 March, 2014. Findings of the jury was communicated to press after holding a press conference on 7th March,2014.

The training was facilitated by Mr.Ashok Sinha, Programme Director, Dr.M.Mukhtar Alam, Senior State Advocacy Coordinator and Mr. Shailendra Rawat, the State Advocacy Coordinator, NACDOR for the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Day wise description of processes is noted below.

Day One 4 March 2014

After the informal sharing by Umesh Babu locating the campaign in the overall struggle of Dalits in India , the introduction session following using the method one each introducing the one sitting next to him/her. Participant introduced the participants one by one knowing about each other and sharing the key incident in the life, sharing the interest of each other.

Mr. Ashok Sinha explained the how social audit is complex. He called for assessing whether we believed in social audit. Having faith in social audit is important for ensuring the delivery through engaging all the beneficiaries and making them claim the entitlements for children ,pregnant and lactating mothers and adolescent girls. After, learning on how to conduct the social audit, he informed that state level processes would start. He emphasized that that through this training, all would be able to learn

from each other’s experience and work in order to strengthen each other and then realise the state level and national level nutrition security goals. Further, informing on the objective of the training, a draft of the charter of demands for

Figure 1 Introductory Session of the Training on the Roof of Marwari Dharmshala, Khadda, Kushinagar

taking up with the block, district and state level authorities in Lucknow would be done for the state of Uttar Pradesh. In this regard, he cited the example of Hanumanganj where vacancy for an SC candidate is not being filled for the last ten years.

Suggestions for the objectives were sought. It was suggested that more audit could be done in a month rather than having one or two in a month by leading organisation in the National Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity. Further, defining the strategy for the campaign was suggested as one of the objective of the training recognising the fact that social audit finding and impacts forms the critical core of grassroots action with the creation of sustainable mechanism of Panchayat Steering Committee.

Sarita Gautam sought ID for the project so that she is able to liason with district administration effectively as part of NACDOR. Participants clarified that all organisations would be working with NACDOR using their banner specially those who are member of the NACDOR and this has been clear to all. However, it was suggested that a letter could be sent to district collector with cc to district leaders of National Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity. For facilitating this,, it was agreed that NACDOR would be sending letter to District collectors specifying the name of the organisation by NACDOR sending a cc to the organisation. That letter would be an identity for the organisations firming up their role in the campaign and strengthening the efficacy and effectiveness of their grassroots intervention generated out of the social audits.

Introduction to NACDOR followed by Introduction to the project objectives at the national, state and grass root level. Formation of two types of advocacy and action groups was introduced at National level and its counterpart at the state level and the relationship to the state and grassroots processes were explained. Discussions were held detail regarding the national advocacy group, Stakeholders group as per the following table.

Levels

National level State Level Grassroots

1 National Advocacy Group State Steering Committee

Panchayat Steering Committee

2 National Level Stakeholder Group

State Level Stakeholders Group

Community based Monitoring mechanism through formation of social audit group in the identified Dalit ,Adivasi locations

3 District Leaders of National

One revenue village in a

Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity

Panchayat identified for focussed action in a hamlet/tola with social audit.

Questions were raised on the unit of the formation for the Panchayat Steering Committee . While endeavouring for work in 7 Gram Panchayats on the chosen block in the district. Ashok Sinha sought affirmation for number of panchayats that would be responsible for realisation of the objectives of the programme. It was agreed that 7 Panchayats would be selected. Dr. M.Mukhtar Alam informed that some district leaders have already identified the list of Panchayats. Raja Ram Rao sought the format for filling the information. Ashok Sinha explained that a format would be given during the training. Some have received the same through email .He further informed that more project and campaign related documents would be given on the occasion of training.

He referred to the processes that had been adopted in the first phase of the project. In the second phase, two additions were made for grassroots action, being the formation of Panchayat Level Steering Committee and Social Audit Group having a role in delivery of social audit in the chosen villages focussing on the habitations of Dalits, Adivasi and vulnerable communities.

Participants shared some of the concerns emerging from the first phase of NACDOR work on nutrition in order to ensure that communication was smooth. Change of email addresses of the email address of the responsible person at the national office of National Confederation of Dalit Organisations monitoring the progress of work of the Nutrition Security Fellows was cited as a problem due to which some of the reports were not received and attended .There were occasion when reports had to be sent twice. Referring to Kanhiaya Ram appreciated the functioning of Umesh Babu with reference to giving information for the training programme on social audit. Deepak from Rai Bareli suggested that programme officer should be visiting some of the social audits. In this regard, he appreciated the functioning of the Sukanta for Water Aid supported programme who was in regular touch and visiting the project area regularly. It was explained that for social audits in the current phase of National Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity ,engagement of programme officers would be more and thus all the district leaders would have abundant support.

Explaining further on the activities, Mr.Ashok K Sinha informed on the state based processes through State level Steering Committee with the facilitation and support of the programme .He further explained on the production of

Figure 2 Classroom Processes Social Audit Training, Khadda,Kushinagar

state level pamphlets and posters that would be used for strengthening the campaign and creating supportive instruments for demanding course correction by government stakeholders in terms of policy and programmes. Further he explained partnership building with the ministries and institutions as a critical activity under the campaign that has been envisaged for ensuring the administrative gaps and policy gaps indentified through are addressed and the departments and institutions receive support from the NACDOR partners in the implementation of the programme.

In the post lunch session, Mr. Sinha explained the unit of social audit. Explaining as part of preparation for social audit, Mr. Ashok Sinha explained the need for clarity about schemes at the villages and its list in order to be aware of the provisions so that these could be communicated while meeting the people in the villages clearly. Further, he highlighted on finding out the basic data sets and explained the importance of collection of primary and secondary data, its verification through checking the records obtained from the concerned offices.

Following the discussion on the information needs for social, two Group discussions on ICDS, PDS and MDS and the condition of Dalit were done with active participation of the team members. Problems shared justified the agenda of National Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity.

Group One discussion Nutrition and Dalits presented the following for existence of malnutrition among Dalits and its reasons:

Ignorance on nutrition Existence of low income among Dalits Existence of landlessness Lack of cleanliness Lack of employment Child birth in early age Non availability of clean water Lack of access to food grains Lack of access to ICDS centre

Group Number two shared the following as reasons of malnutrition among Dalits:

Child marriage Lack of nutrition food for pregnant women Lack of vaccination Iodine deficiency Iron deficiency Non availability of mother’s milk to child Superstition and traditions Poverty, lack of education and ignorance Not maintaining the gap between the children Lack of adequate food Polluted water, air Population increase

Discrimination of Dalits by service providers Problems in distribution of nutrition

Group Number three shared the following as reasons of malnutrition among Dalits:

Child marriage among Dalits Child labour Lack of information on the schemes Lack of cleanliness Lack of access to health services Absence of nutritious food Lack of education Population increase Discrimination of Dalits in government schemes Unemployment

Group Two discussing on the problems in the delivery of Mid Day Meal shared the following:

Food is not prepared as per the menu Rotten food comes from the godown Food is not there more than 15 days Lack of cleanliness Discrimination of Dalit children and untouchability

Group Number three shared the following problems encountered in the delivery through PDS

Low measurement Not in time distribution No knowledge of the price Non availability of quality ration Shop opening one day only Additional list is used No ration of 10 kg for APL card holders Black selling of ration Ration shop owner does not follow the standards Officers are complicit in the corruption

Group Number One shared the following on ICDS situation:

Discrimination at the centres Away from Dalit children and habitation Non availability of nutritious food to Dalit children No visit of Anganwadi worker as per the routine Engagement of Anganwadi worker in other programmes Policy based corruption in nutrition Non existence of Anganwadi in Dalit basti Ignorance of the ICDS work on their responsibilities

Non registration of birth of children Discrimination in vaccination Not knowledge on the growth chart No proper measurement of the children No proper distribution of nutrition

Group presentations were made and with detailed discussion on the social audit processes to be completed, group work was given to team to be completed in the night.

After the group presentation, social audit processes were described: Social Audit is a democratic process through which social auditors establish accountability and responsibility for the implementation of the programme by the agencies engaged in the service delivery. Social audit is about knowing by team of social auditors consisting of community leaders on whether the delivery is taking place as per the provision and rules.

Following principles are observed as elements of social audit:

1. Transparency2. Responsibility3. Accountability4. Comparative5. Verifiability

Processes in social audit:

1. Learning on the schemes and identification of issues2. Collecting information on the rule for schemes3. Informing the Gram Sabha ,government officials4. 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 processes8. Formation of Social Audit Group and training 9. Finalising indicator for schemes such as whether food is given10.Collection of documents for the MDM, and understanding the legal basis

for documents for collecting the document11.Consultation with the social audit groups 12.Preparing for social audit13.Presentation of the information through charts showing the contrast and

comparing the information and showing to village

Figure 3Group work as part of Social Training

14.Resolution of Gram Sabha for conducting the social audit for information15.Fixing the date for social audit16.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 members18.Forming the Jury with media representatives for listening to the issues and

responding with recommendations

It was emphasized that right to information should be used for gathering information on the governance and implementation of ICDS, MDM and PDS in order to realise the agenda of nutrition security for all and ensure that none is left out due to governance and social audit deficits .

Processes for organising public hearing were described to have the following steps:

Preparation of the report of the Gram Sabha

Preparation of the resolution of the Gram Sabha

Preparation of the Charter of demands for the identified grievances and complaints

Report preparations with evidence all the processes Filing the grievance with the concerned officials Preparation of 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 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.

Figure 4 Classroom Processes. Khadda, Kushinagar

Role of Social Audit Group was described as below:

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. Orgnisation conducting social audit needs to build its credibility as facilitator and stakeholder along with the members of the Gram Sabha.

On Myths that needs to be broken, trainees were explained that:

Social audit is for blaming government officials. This is a misgiving that some may have among the government officials. Officials need to be brought on board explaining that

If the problems are highlighted, then benefit would stop. 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 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.

For the Precautions during the conduct of social audit , Mr.Sinha called for following:

Stay away from controversies Be realistic Listen to all Don’t debate Conduct the processes without showing biases Engage all

Shailendra, the programme officer for UP spoke on importance of budget and how this must be understood especially in the context of SCCP and ST plan. He informed that 15,146 crore has been allocated. If the development had been done, all SC and ST families would have become wealthy and none would have remained in penury. He called for learning about the part of the SC Component Budget to know about MDM, ICDS and PDS, we would find that allocation have been diverted. He shared the example of number pump sets that is shown on the paper and how many exist on the ground.

Ashok K Sinha explained how this technical knowledge is important for seeking the realisation of the realisation. He said that that in NACDOR, he is calling for some winning targets that could be achieved in a time frame.

Second Day: 5 March, 2014-03-05 Classroom Processes Deepening the Knowledge on the Methodology of Social Audit

Mr.Vinod Gautam recapitulated on the sessions that had taken place. Finding information on the Schemes and Source was the task given , but participants prepared on the problems and solutions. Explaining further on Social Audit, Mr Sinha explained the following reasons for conducting Social Inclusion Audit after analysis of Problem, Grievance and Demand ( Samasya, Shikayat aur Maang):

For assessing the document and policies of the scheme For ensuring equity and distribution For empowerment of Gram Sabha Prevention of irregularities in the delivery Accountability and transparency For mobilisation of people for whom the services are meant in order to

realise entitlements For verification of the records

On the question of whose social audit, following were described to be the primary target for social audit:

Beneficiaries Service providers Members of the Panchayat including Pradhan, Mukhiya, Sarpanch and

Panchayat Secretary

Participants raised issues on how to address a situation when there were children who had different names in the registers .There are some children whose names are referred differently in the private school and the government schools. There are issues where there is no ICDS and there are no beneficiaries. What to do with such situation? In such a situation, participants were asked to meet the CDPO. When there are no beneficiaries then information should be collected and report should be submitted to the concerned authorities.

Explaining Members of the social audit group, it was explained that following would be the members of the Social Audit Group:

Members of Panchayat Government department s Journalists Civil society organisations Opinion leaders

Describing the features of social audit/ social inclusion audit, it was explained that:

Social audit is conducted by the society i.e. members of the Gram Panchayat

Area is large for the social audit It is important tool to know whether people are happy for the delivery All are informed on the processes on the social audit It is based on rules and provision Verification of expenditure and purpose is essential part of the social audit Decision is made on the basis of document , records, collective analysis Social responsibility and welfare of all is ensured We can get information through RTI All the Panchayat members have the right to conduct social audit All the voices are part of the social inclusion audit

Group exercise was conducted on the processes of social audit. Four teams were asked to write letters to Jury members, one for media, one for CSO member/ Dalit women leader , one for block and district administration and one for PRI representation. Four groups wrote letters. The purpose of this exercise was to make leaders aware of the letters that are to be sent for securing information, cooperation and participation of government officials and jury members.

In the post lunch session, processes were described. All were informed that formation of Social Audit Group is the most important activity for ensuring smooth and participatory social audit. Mr. Sinha explained that social auditors need to prepare a social audit group for conducting the social audit “We will have to prepare a social audit group. We will have to explain the definition of social audit to all the members of the social audit group”:

Role of Samajhik Ankeshan Dal (Social Audit Group) was described as follows:

Making villagers aware about the government schemes Informing about the provisions under the schemes Ensuring communication of the details of schemes Ensuring that grievance to be prepared in a written document Preparing evidences for the irregularities

For the role of Gram Sabha , it was explained that, Gram Sabha should ensure the following :

Make sure that all groups Dalit, Adivasis and minorities are informed. Ensure that all the demands are brought in the proposals.

Role of Government (Prashashan) was described:

Organise Gram Sabha Support the conduct of Gram Sabha Ensure protection to the social auditors

Role of Concerned department:

To respond to the recommendations To comment on the issues pointed out in the social audit.

Role of the organisations was described as the one facilitating the processes while being a stakeholder in the delivery of entitlements.

In the post lunch session, Mr. Rambriksh Giri having more than ten years of working with Action Aid supported development programmes in Kushinagar and Maharajganj district was called to describe further on the provisions of the scheme. Giri ji, hoped that a new wave of action would take place through social audit. Most of the problems that happened were due to war and others were not there now and there are reasons for ending the discrimination. He recalled the judgement of Supreme Court where 8 food security schemes were included as those schemes that government must support always. ICDS was part of the interim judgement. Immunisation was part of the scheme. On the provisions of ICDS, he explained the following:

Door to door visit for pregnant and lactating mother. Children between the age of 7 months to -3 months are the receive

nutrition Children in the age group of 3-6 children are to be given 1.75 and 2.75

per child to be given with fruits. Pregnant woman are to being nutrition. Supplementary nutrition is to be given for anaemic. Health protection is to be ensured. Education on Nutrition and Health. Preschool education is part of ICDS. Anganwadi has to coordinate with other departments. She has to

coordinate with the rest of the groups. Matri Samiti has to be formed. ICDS will ensure health, education and health. IEC component is there for ensuring the children get benefit from the

schemes.

Giri ji explained about the following major schemes under ICDS:

Poshahar Yojana Supplementary Nutrition Kishori Shakti Yojna through ICDS department Dhanlaxmi Yojna is through ICDS in some places. In this scheme, birth is to

be registered with regular immunisation. ICDS services are to delivered in collaboration with ANM, ASHA is preparing a growth chart. 7 month to 3

years child to receive 120 gram each week. Now, weekly measured is being done. Now, there is a government order for this .

Children in the age group of 3-6 children are given Rs.1.75 cost for breakfast+ Rs.2.25 for cooked food) for four days of the week and on two days children are to be given fruits .

Malnourished children are to be given 200 grams in the age of 3-6 are to be given supplementary nutrition. Recipe of Khichri with Moong , Dalia with Sweet equivalent of 500 calories is the provision for malnourished children .

In social audit processed, he said ‘we have to find all the documents are there. We need to check all the registers are in place’.

He informed that following are the registers that need to be checked :

1. Registration for children2. Cooked food register3. Health check up4. Pregnant worked5. Lactating mothers6. Adolescents register7. Cash book8. Stock register9. Bank passbook ( with the name of the Matri Samiti)10.Balwadi registration register11.Daily dairy12.Meeting register13.Death register14.Birth and death register 15.Scheme related register16.Bill vouchers 17.Progress reports18.Visit registers

Timing for the centre changes is there for season and this needs to check as well in order to assess the punctuality of ICDS worker delivering all services.

He informed that the above are the registers that are to be maintained however he further informed that there are no limit to the number and Growth chart is there for keeping a meticulous record of growth of children in order to ensure all potentially malnourished children are attended well.

Concerns were raised if there as the actions that should be taken if there is no panjiri distributed and if there is no ICDS existing. Mr.Giri informed that in such situations social audit should be done. A participant asked whether there was any toll free Number. Mr.Giri responded that he would be giving the number. Later number was shared being 180042525250 where complaint could be registered without any punitive action.

Rajaram Rao asked about the action that should be taken if forward caste ICDS worker is not coming to the centre. Mr. Sinha suggested to Raja Ram Rao and Suman ji for drafting a letter on the complaint to Chairman PL Punia in case state authorities, commissions and e block and district level authorities do not respond. The task was given in order to make the trainees proactive in reaching out to the concerned authorities.

On Mid Day Meal Scheme, Mr.Ram Briksh Giri shared the below as part of provisions:

Children should have access to schools and they should get food at the school. Making schools enjoyable.

It is one of the scheme under SC order . Rs.5 worth food and nutrition is for children in 6-8 class. Rs .3.34 worth of food and nutrition for children in primary schools (1-5). Mid Day Meal are to given 20 days each month 100 gram to dal, sabzi and oi 6 types of food on 6 days to be given 150 gram for upper primary children. School will have give the menu chart and on that basis , social audit is to

be done. Mid Day Bhojan Yojna Anusrawan Samiti with Basic Education as Secretary

and District Collector is the president. There is tehseel level Anusrawn Samiti (Supply inspector with 12

department ). SMC president and Headmaster . District level task force is there. MDM Nidhi is there for financing the Mid Day Meal scheme. SMC should be able to influence MDM . Department gives money to FCI, but the money goes from MDM Nidhi. Now the cook is going to be from SC. Cook would be there from among the

children’s mother. There is a government order to appoint the cook from among the mothers whose child is there in the school.

Kotedar/PDS dealer is receiving Rs. 12 per quintal for PDS carriage from the godown .

Bag is there in addition to weight. Government is to ensure that PDS distributors give special labelled bags

for MDM.

On the corrupt practices, Giri ji informed that there are some PDS dealers who are taking grain through creating holes in the bag. He called for all to ensure the best quality of the food is taken by all children He mentioned that Kushi Nagar district had a special scheme when children were to sign the register after taking the meals at the school. Children were thus encouraged to sign. Informal discussion with Ishwarchand Tiwary, a teacher showed that in Deoria , teacher union protested the order to get the register signed by the children saying that it was an additional piece of work that reduced the time for using in teaching.

Mr.Rajaram Rao, the district leader for National Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity shared his intervention on PDS ensuring quality supply and prevention of corruption in PDS. He informed that in 2005 on 17 October, 27 PDS dealers were suspended due his report to the authorities. This was reported in the newspapers. Later , on reasons unknown to him, he learnt all the PDS fair shop owners were reinstated. He wondered on the reasons that made the department to reinstate them. However, the case showed that PDS fair shop owners wield influence on the people due to their being connected to them. Sharing this experience, he called for action and believed that social audit processes as part of National Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity would generate more evidences for corrective actions at the grassroots level.

Mr.Giri further explained that Kitchen set was to be done in the school with utensils. Cooked food should be given. All schools received grant for kitchen utensils. He further explained about provisions under PDS.

After the presentation of the provisions of ICDS, MDM and PDS, Mr. Sinha explained the format for surveying PDS, ICDS and MDM. Suggestions were received on some items and it was agreed that format would be used for surveying in order to find out the reality.

Myths about the social audit were shared and precautions were described for the conduct of the social audit.

Deliberations for the day concluded with the video film show on social audit processes in village by Mr.Giri.

Day Three: Meeting people in the village and visiting Primary Schools and Anganwadi

Processes in social audit preparation were explained again before moving to the village for visiting the ICDS centres, schools in the village of Hanumanganj and Bhagwanpur. Discussions were held on what is to be known from village and what is given to them in terms of information. Mr.Sinha explained on the processes that are to be conducted:

“We need to inform to the village about the provision and seek information on the delivery as per the provisions. Dalit, adivasi, minorities are to be identified.”

He called for creating an environment for social audit in the village informing about the Gram Sabha. In social audit one has to look at the register. The register has to be seen by all. Means of the verification has be identified and checked. He called for noting the name of beneficiaries and meet the families. He informed that meeting with people would be for informing on the schemes and for verifying the facts through social audit.He informed on the activities by the team in the village. On the question as to activity on the first day visit to the villages for actions in during the visit to the village, he informed that collection of the information on the following is to be ensured:

School situation

PDS situation MDM situation.

Further, he said that we need to give the information on the schemes to the villagers and seek information on the implementation of the schemes.

Two teams each were made for the villages of Hanumanganj and Bhagwan Nagar:

Hanumanganj Team for visiting ICDS

1. Sarita Gautam ( leader)2. Rajaram Rao, Ghazipur3. Kanhaya Ram4. Reena5. Satyabhama6. Musafi

Bhagwannagar team for visiting ICDS:

1. Deepak ,Rai Bareili (group leader) 2. Akhilesh/ Sunil , Lucknow3. Lal ji4. Ramawati5. Sunita6. Rajvir Rana ,Etawah

At Hanumanganj , discussions were held with Umesh Yadav, Shiksha Mitra and others . Some of the findings are noted below:

Kanhaya Prasad and Asha Devi is the cook. Using fuel takes time in cooking

Eggs are there cooked. Fruit is also not served. Menu is displayed PDS owner did not bring cereals in time. Sanjay Gupta is Principal for the Primary School, Hanumanganj but he has

not been reaching school. There are 6 drop out children. Umashankar Pal is appointed to educate drop out children Utensils have not been bought in the school for all children. Only 12 plates

had been bought. ICDS remains closed. Ms.Pushplata Singh is running at the centre. She is

not coming to attend the centre. Satua is sold out. Umesh Yadav, the Shikshamitra looking after the school suggested that if there is any action that should be taken against the Sevika. ICDS Is in the worst condition. ICDS is attached and therefore, it should be reported.

Chedilal Kushwaha, Hari, Vikram Chauhan and a muslim villager from the village visited the school.

Children had brought utensil in their bags.

Teachers had seized the bags of some children as part of disciplinary action.

Reporting on the ICDS at Bhagwan Nagar , Mr.Rajaram Rao and Kanhaiya Ram who were part of the team for visiting ICDS informed the following:

Ms. Suman Devi did not maintain the registers She was not aware of all the registers Her husband and father were maintaining the registers Villagers informed that Suman Devi was practicing untouchability and

while distributing ‘satua’ she was ensuring that children did not touch her. ICDS building remained at the level of plinth for many years.

Informal conversation was held with people on the nature of rights on the homestead land. Chandrika Mallah spoke on the issue of land for Musahars and thought that more action is ensure that usurpation of the waste land is removed and land is allotted to Musahars as homestead land.

Informal discussion in the evening after the visit on the following:

How do make the organisations access more and more funds for the work as most of the Dalits organisations are not equipped with the capacity to write proposals. Dr Alam informed them about the government organisations, national and international organisations in the case of organisations that do not have access the foreign funds. He further informed that

work under National Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity present a huge opportunity for accessing funds under CSR for conducting social audit and other grassroots processes.

Mr.Ram Bachan Bharti informed about the NABARD application to some participants that could be assessed for programmes for ensuring integration of horticulture and agriculture development programmes toward nutrition of marginal farmers and for growing kitchen garden. He informed about the programmes that could be accessed.

Discussion on the toll free number that can be used in concert. Mr. Ram Bachan Bharti gave an example of how he used the provision of toll number for filing complaints and building pressure. For ICDS, it was agreed that toll free number should be used for making delivery up to the mark and preventing corruption.

Fourth Day: 7 March, 2014 The Day of holding Gram Sabha at Mustauli, Hanumanganj:

Ms.Suman Devi , Sewika at Mustauli Demonstrates Change in her Conduct as a result of Social Audit Processes

The Day of 7 March was different for Ms. Suman Devi .She had learnt about team that had visited the village and met her earlier. Therefore, she had to be seen having distributed Khichri for children. Before the Team reached Mustauli in the village Hanumanganj of Khadda block in the district of Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh and spread in two groups and moved to homes for informing and calling for Gram Sabha, some team member spoke with the ICDS worker who gave khichri for the children and she was moving to her place when the team reached Hanumanganj. Gayatri Devi , an elderly complaining for Ms.Suman Devi, the sevika wondered whether she was greater that the trainees who had reached the village and interacting with Musahar children and their people without practicing any discrimination. Dr. Mukhtar Alam ,State Advocacy Coordinator spoke to Suman Devi and explained that as ICDS Sewika, she must treat children like her children. He then asked her to eat from a locally made sweet called ‘khorma’ given there. She took a piece accepting but did not eat. She informed that she was very scared responding to the question on 6th March, when the team of trainees/ district leaders of National Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity visited her. According to her, the fear that was generated was same like once she had experienced while appearing for an examination. Ms.Suman Devi sat in the meeting to hear about the discussions. Mr. Chandrika Mallah informed that a meeting in the village had been held previous night and the entire village was united. On 6 March, 2014, he appeared as a well wisher of Musahar but on 7 th

March ,2014, it appeared after finding out that Ms.Suman Devi’s handling of her job as a Sewika would be questioned, he appeared to suggesting that villager were united for protecting the Sewika.The response pattern of Ms. Suman Devi and Mr.Chandrika Mallah shows the social audit process has a direct impact on the conduct of service providers.

Gram Sabha Meeting started with Bhojpuri song by Mr. Raja Ram Rao and Bindu . Sharing the woes, Lal Bihari shared about serious issue of land rights. He informed that all Musahars used this waste land when the flood eroded the original village and they shifted to the waste land. There is an urgent need to allot land entitlement. Issue from the villagers on were shared. ICDS worker was not reaching the village. She was giving sometime Satua and ensuring that no children touched her.

In the evening, Mr Ashok Sinha with cooperation from Dr.M.Mukhtar Alam sought responses from the district leaders on the steps that would be taken in their districts after the training. District leaders presented the steps as per the learning in the training with some

Figure 5 Gram Sabha, Hanumanganj, Khadda

explaining more and some explaining. Steps for social audit as indicated earlier in the report were explained.

Special meeting with the district leaders of National Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity:

Ashok Sinha explained that a charter of demands with the signatures should be given to all the politicians referring to nutrition related demands. He said social audit is not a joke. There is less money here for supporting the processes and thus much caution has to be taken for building ownership of the social audit processes through formation of social audit groups establishing trust with the community and then taking the community on board. Ashok Sinha explained that we are going on this to work for more than 10 years as an organisation and therefore, we need to be very meticulous in taking forward the processes. District leaders accepted the challenge. He asked district leaders to share their expectations from NACDOR.

Mr.Rajaram Rao shared about survey on time taken and cost for the same. A reporting format is to be sent. We will ensure that a dari and camera is sent to by 25 March. Poster and pamphlets were also demanded by district leaders.

Mr.Rajaram Rao sought measure for strengthening the organisations that have been working with NACDOR. Ashok Sinha suggested that a meeting should be fixed in the month of April for discussing organisation development process. Mr.Vinod Gautam , NACDOR leader of UP shared the need for organisation development and referred to the discussions that some district leaders had with Dr M.Mukhtar Alam for organisational development processes. He appreciated the information that he received. Ashok Sinha explained that he would not be misguiding on the way to receive funds but he would be suggesting the measures for ensuring that organisations receive information on the schemes. Dr.Mukhtar Alam suggested that partnership development with the government was part of National Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity and if all the learnings during the social audit were used, there would be much work for organisations engaged in the processes. He informed that social audit was indeed a powerful instrument for ensuring child protection and eliminating all forms of discrimination that is depriving the children from Dalit and Adivasi communities.

Discussion were held on Jury members and their confirmations. Ashok Sinha ji informed that Ram Briksh Giri ji would be reaching Hanumanganj with Dr. M.Mukhtar Alam being with the team while he would be with the team at Bhagwannagar.

Day Five: Jan Sunwai

Teams departed for the villages of Hanumanganj and Bhawanpur. Social Audit Group was facilitated by Ashok Sinha accompanied the team for Bhagwanpur . At Hanumanganj ,Ram Briksh Giri as the Jury member and representative of CSO participated in the social audit processes.

In the village, after the informal processed facilitation by Rajaram Rao with slogans Sarita Gautam ji shared about ICDS observations and MDM teams. Shailendra shared about the role of Social Audit Audit. Social Audit group was made from among the panchayat members and they were asked to look after the social audit in the future.

Kunti Devi was elected to preside over the public hearing .Jury

members consisting of Ram Briksh Giri, Kanhaiya Ram, Chedi Kushwaha took their seats.

ICDS finding was shared by Rajaram Rao as follows:

ICDS worker was not coming to the Mustauli regularly. She is not keeping all the registers Registration is only for 30 lactating mother 16 mothers are to be given nutrition, but none have received the same. Uncooked materials is given NHNDs are not observed There is no regular health check up taking place at the school Anganwadi building has not been constructed though the foundation stone

has been laid ten years ago. One KG packet of Satua is given. 40 gram is given. Chana, Mungfali is

given. Dalpeetha is given. ICDS building is not constructed SC vacancy for Anganwadi Sewika is not filled.

Findings from the chart were shared. Rajmati, a vocal lady shared her observations. She called for the transfer of all the teachers in the government school “All the teachers should be transferred .She informed that she had gone to check MDM. She was highly agitated in her protest. She called on the government to buy the utensils.

Kunti Devi wife of Laxan shared about the ICDS and called for regular visit by Anganwadi worker.

Decisions of the Jury at Hanumanganj:

Report should be sent to the office Matri Samiti is not there and therefore the same has to be formed by the

Sewika. 200 gram to severely malnourished adolescent girls needs to be given 150 gram to lactating mothers is to be given

Figure 6 Public Hearing ,Hanumanganj with Jury on the Chairs

125 gram to malnourished girls has to be given There has to be 40 chidren in 3-6 age group who are to receive services 175 gram to primary children and 250 gram to upper primary school

children is the norm On 6 days, 6 different food are to be given Rs.3.34 is for the dry fruits. Where does it go? Concerned authorities need

to find out whether does it go and fix the responsibility SC/ST Sewika from among the Musahar community should be appointed Building for ICDS should be constructed as soon as possible.

After the responses from the Jury members, it was agreed that application on the findings would be sent to district collector.

Some discussion were held with pregnant mothers who shared that ICDS worker Ms. Suman Devi reached village one or two time only to the Mustauli for delivering the services. She was not regular. Urmila Devi 22 year old being at her mother’s place in her 9th month of pregnancy told that she did not receive any advice or nutrition from the Anganwadi worker. Neither, she received any immunisations through ANM in the village the centre. Kiran, 25 year old in her 5th month did not receive any nutrition. Urmila Devi

would have certainly received the services, had there been a regular ICDS centre at the village. More than 10 years ago, foundation stone of the Anganwadi has been laid, but neither the centre has been constructed, not an appointment of SC candidate as Anganwadi Sewika has been done. Children currently are facing the psychological violence through the reported practice of untouchability by Mrs.Suman Devi, the Sewika serving the children there at Musahartoli, Hanumanganj.

Findings at Bhagwan Nagar for the functioning of ICDS and MDM:

Shikshamitra was not regular Midday Meal was not of good quality No utensils in the school Fuel was placed in the classroom Ration was given from the general quota not from the Mid Day Meal quota In October, November and December, 3 quintal was received while in

January- Februry only 25 Kg was given. There was no weighing machine and toys for children 15 children were there and there were three whose enrolment was

elsewhere

Figure 7 Dr M.Mukhtar Alam with Kiran and Urmila Devi (right), Pregnant Mothers reporting absence of Regular Nutrition and Counselling

There was no register at Anganwadi There was no list of lactating and pregnant mother When some of the children informed on the irregularity in the Mid Day

meal, a teacher had beaten the girl. NHNDs are not observed There is no regular health check up taking place at the school Panjiri was given in open packet showing the stealing of the content There was no toilet in the school SMC was not functional and school plan was not clear

Decision of the Jury at Bhagwanpur on the findings for the functioning of MDM and ICDS:

Application should be given for eliminating the irregularities with evidences

Mid Day materials should come with a label in order to make it distinct from what is distributed through general quota

List should be displayed for 8 adolescent and 8 pregnant women Role of SMC should include examining the quality of Mid Day meals

After the public hearings, teams gathered at Bhagwan Nagar and having lunch at the house of Rampreet departed for Khadda for onward journey with a promise to execute social audits effectively. As the team engaged in social audit processes was having lunch, a child named Suneeta came and informed about her being punished for speaking on the Mid Day Meal scheme in the school during the public hearing .Mr.Ram Briksh Giri recorded the statement and sought a commitment to depose before the collector. This case of beating showed how teachers at the school got rattled due to report by children on the quality and quantity of the delivery of Mid Day Meal at Bhagwannagar.

Conclusion:

Training proved to be occasion to have close encounter of the deficit in delivery of the service and acute deprivation of the Musahar children in the villages of Hanumanganj and Bhagwan Nagar. The beating of girl child after her sharing of truth in the public hearing at Primary school Bhagwan Nagar is an indicator of much social work that is needed for improving the situation and ensuring the right of children to protection, development and entitlements as per the provisions of the government schools .The information on the practice of untouchability by an OBC sewika at Hanumanganj was the most harrowing. Such findings and others shows that conduct of social audit has to be deepened. Social audit creates a huge impact. Suppressing the voice of dissent and ignorance on the provisions needs to be addressed though social audit that can be only done with the facilitation of committed organisations. Support of GAIN is indeed critical for the processes for ensuring that nutrition security related programmes deliver as per the provision. All the trainees felt the power of social audit in transforming conduct of the service providers. At the same times, it is important that the processes for social audit is supported sustainably and organisations find all the needed support for ensuring the conduct of social audit

empowering people, protecting children, building a socially inclusive India with food and nutrition security for all children, women and girls in the targeted group and those who are prone to malnutrition.

Draft: Dr.M.Mukhtar Alam, Senior State Advocacy Coordinator, National Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity (NCND), NACDOR