This is a report on training on social audit which would be useful for all engaged in training on social audit for deliveries under programmes in public and private sector.

1. 2014
Training of Dalit and
Adivasi Leaders from
Uttar Pradesh on
Social Audit in
Nutrition, Khadda,
Kushinagar, Uttar
Pradesh
Report
The report describes the processes of training on Social Audit held at Marwari
Dharmshala with two days classroom processes on 4th and 5 March ,field visits
to the villages of Hanumanganj and Bhagwanpur in the Khadda block of district
Kushinagar, UP for examining the implementation of ICDS, MDM and PDS on 5
March , organising gram sabha on 7 march and public hearing on 8 March, 2014
.As part of National Campaign on Nutrition for Dignity, 24 participants (two
each from 11 districts received training in conducting social audit in order to
improve the effectiveness of quality and delivery of the services under
nutrition and food security related programmes.
Dr.M.Mukhtar Alam
National Confederation of Dalit Organisations
3/8/2014

2. 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
Figure 1 Introductory Session of the Training on the Roof of
Marwari Dharmshala, Khadda, Kushinagar
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 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.

3. 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 Campaign
on Nutrition for
Dignity
One revenue village
in a 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

4. 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 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
Figure 2 Classroom Processes Social Audit Training,
Khadda,Kushinagar
schemes at the villages and its list in order to be aware of the provisions so that these

5. 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

6.  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.

7. 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:
Figure 3Group work as part of Social Training
1. Transparency
2. Responsibility
3. Accountability
4. Comparative
5. Verifiability
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

8. 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
Figure 4 Classroom Processes. Khadda, Kushinagar
 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.
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

9. 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

10. 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

11.  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

12. 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 children
2. Cooked food register
3. Health check up
4. Pregnant worked
5. Lactating mothers

13. 6. Adolescents register
7. Cash book
8. Stock register
9. Bank passbook ( with the name of the Matri Samiti)
10. Balwadi registration register
11. Daily dairy
12. Meeting register
13. Death register
14. Birth and death register
15. Scheme related register
16. Bill vouchers
17. Progress reports
18. 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.

14.  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

15. 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, Ghazipur
3. Kanhaya Ram
4. Reena
5. Satyabhama
6. Musafi
Bhagwannagar team for visiting ICDS:
1. Deepak ,Rai Bareili (group leader)
2. Akhilesh/ Sunil , Lucknow
3. Lal ji
4. Ramawati
5. Sunita
6. 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.

16.  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.

17.  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 7th 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.

18. 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 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
Figure 5 Gram Sabha, Hanumanganj, Khadda
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.

19. 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
Figure 6 Public Hearing ,Hanumanganj with Jury on the Chairs
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.

20. 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
 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
Figure 7 Dr M.Mukhtar Alam with Kiran and Urmila Devi
(right), Pregnant Mothers reporting absence of Regular
Nutrition and Counselling
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

21.  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
 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

22. 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