MONITORING SYSTEM TO CHECK MALPRACTICES IN PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
A MUST BY JULY END – DR. JOSHI
The monitoring system
which is being set up, to track the progress in the implementation
of projects, funded by the Department of Women & Child Development
(WCD), either by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) or Governmental
Agencies, needs definitely to be in place before the end of July,
this year. The Department of WCD is putting in place a system
by means of which data regarding all money sanctioned by the Department,
including project details and details about the implementing agencies
(whether Governmental or NGOs) will be computerised. In this way,
it will be possible to track the progress of projects and also
identify malpractices. In fact, a comprehensive monitoring and
evaluation of projects and implementing agencies will be possible.
This was stated by Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, Union Minister of
Human Resource Development while inaugurating the Conference of
state Ministers in charge of WCD.
Dr. Joshi also pointed
out that the work carried by WCD is such that NGOs can be very
effective in implementing it. They need to be encouraged more.
But, those among them that engage in malpractices must be brought
to task and their activities publicised adequately.
The Minister underlined
that officials in various states dealing with WCD must take pride
in their sphere of work and not consider it of less consequence.
On the contrary, their work is crucial. He said that only if women
and children of the country are of robust mind and health, will
the country progress. And, the women and children can only be
well looked after if the officers implement schemes concerning
them in the most efficient manner possible. He gave the example
of China saying that the country, initially, gave primary importance
towards looking after women, children and literacy and only after
progress in this sphere, did they embark upon the path of becoming
an economic giant. Only when a country has healthy young people,
which is possible only by having healthy mothers and fit children,
can it achieve something on the industrial or economic front.
Speaking on the occasion,
Smt. Jaskaur Meena, Minister of State for WCD underlined that
the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) network must
be utilised effectively. But, it is important to remember that
the Anganwadi workers must be given support and strength and allowed
to concentrate on their basic job. They are crucial links in the
WCD system. The practice of utilising them for all sundry jobs
ends up diluting the basic end they are meant for.
The meeting is being
attended by state Ministers and officials dealing with WCD from
Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan,
Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranachal. Dr. R. V. V. Ayyar, Secretary,
WCD and other senior officials of the Ministry were also present.
During the course of the meeting, the progress of various schemes
being run by the Department will be discussed.
