CAG finds 8,842 villages lack Anganwadi Centres despite population norms

This audit examined the establishment and functioning of Anganwadi Centres, as well as the adequacy of Working Women Hostels and Child Care Institutions in Madhya Pradesh for the period 2019-20 to 2023-24.

Women and Child Development Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh

• 8,842 villages/wards (16%) lacked Anganwadi Centres despite population norms.
• Construction of 202 Anganwadi Centres was delayed, increasing costs by ₹6.18 crore.
• ₹2.32 crore in interest earned on parked construction funds was not utilized or planned for.
• Bills for Hot Cooked Meals (HCM) supplied by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to 1-332 Anganwadi Centres were missing, preventing verification of supply.
• Significant manpower shortages existed, including 55% vacancy in District Project Officers and 40% in Child Development Project Officers.
• No refresher training was provided to any frontline workers despite high induction training coverage.
• Utilization Certificates for food grains were submitted to the Government of India without proper reconciliation with actual lifting records.

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