ICDS Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP)

Transcription

1 ICDS Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP) A: Overall Comments State: Andhra Pradesh Comments of CPMU, MWCD on the Annual Action Plan (AAP) It is noted that the State Govt. of Andhra Pradesh has estimated a requirement of Rs lakh in the Annual Action Plan for for the undivided State. Activities have been proposed in the current year keeping in view of less expenditure in the first one and half years. The State has made three separate plans one for the undivided Andhra Pradesh (with all 10 districts), one for residuary Andhra Pradesh (with 3 districts) after the bifurcation in June 2014 and the rest one for the newly created State of Telangana (with 7 districts). It is observed that the AAP has not provided any details of the proposed activities in a separate section, except giving the budgets in a cost table. The narratives in Section 3 summarizing the activities under four components do not provide any insights and are seemed to be generic in nature. The AAP has also not included several key activities/pilots as approved in the Admn. Approval & Guidelines of GoI dated 10 January It is noted that the guidance provided by the CPMU to the State Team including the STL of the TA Team on how to prepare this year s AAP has mostly not been followed. It is strongly recommended that the SPMU Team may ensure getting all necessary support from the State TA Team in revising the AAP based on the comments below. In selection of specific interventions/pilots under the project, the State Govt. must ensure nonduplication of activities with the main ICDS General Scheme. Important Note-1: Vide GOI s letter dated 21 st July 2014, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh has been conveyed the following: Given the tight time schedule of Phase 1 of the project (ending on 31 December 2015) and the urgent requirement of achieving the Phase 1 triggers, it may not be possible to include both the States (AP and Telangana) under the project within the limited budget of Rs crore (for Phase 1, 3 years) and therefore, it is suggested that the IDA assisted ISSNIP may continue to be implemented in Andhra Pradesh only, with suitable replacement of districts that are now under Telangana. The State Govt. may take necessary actions accordingly with intimation to this Ministry. It may be noted that at the time of preparation of Phase 2 of ISSNIP, Telangana may be considered for inclusion in ISSNIP for large-scale implementation of successful models/pilots of Phase 1, with necessary preparatory requirement of developing the State level PIP. In view of the above, the comments below are meant for the Annual Action Plan of the State of Andhra Pradesh only. Important Note-2: In order to address some of the issues that have led to the Moderately unsatisfactory rating for the project during the last Mission of the World Bank held in January 2014, the MWCD and the World Bank Team had several discussions on potential means to accelerate project implementation, to enhance the impact of project planned activities and also to accelerate disbursements. As a result of these deliberations, it has been agreed to intensify and expand the project support in some of the areas of critical importance to achieving project results. These have been outlined below under different sections along with a brief technical rationale for each. With this in-principle approval, the State Govt. may plan to include these in the revised AAP duly assessing their needs for these activities and required finances for them within the overall allocation of Phase 1 of the project, as well as update the Procurement Plan to reflect the procurement related to these activities. Page 1 of 10

2 B: Specific Comments 1. Under Section-2 (Review of AAP ), it may be indicated whether activities mentioned at Sl. No. 7 to 13 have been carried out using funds under ISSNIP and if so, whether these were approved by GoI in the last year s Annual Action Plan. 2. Under 11c. (Section 2) it has been mentioned that the SPMU and Technical Agency team was involved in the training of CDPOs and Supervisors in the revised MIS developed by GoI. However, as per the GoI guidelines and approved Induction Training Plan for Andhra Pradesh, such training was expected to be conducted by the State level Master Trainers who were trained by the Central Team of GoI. There had been specific budgetary approval and funds available for such trainings. This may be clarified in the AAP. 3. Under Sl.No.11d, please confirm whether the impact assessment study on spot-feeding programme (IAH), entrusted with Home Science College, Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University has been conducted using ISSNIP budgets and if so, whether it was included in the Procurement Plan of and no objection of the World Bank was obtained. 4. It is not clear under what project component (s), orientation of Instructresses of the Anganwadi Training Centres (AWTCs) was undertaken for improved quality of training with respect to ISSNIP activities, recent changes in the ICDS programme including revised food models. The write-up on this and other activities in Section 2 seem to suggest that the SPMU/TA Team has not given due diligence while taking up such activities and in the course, has diluted the project priorities. 5. Strengthening and expanding ICDS Monitoring Systems It is noted that the State has not followed the Admn. Guidelines while proposing activities under this sub-component. Actvity-1: Support to roll out of revised MIS In the cost sheet, the terminology used for roll-out of revised MIS in ICDS as roll out of Monthly Progress Reports (MPRs) developed by GOI is not correct and it seems that there is limited understanding of the SPMU Team on this important aspect of ICDS strengthening introduced by GoI in There seems to be also a mix up between the revised MIS being implemented country-wide across all AWCs and the State s own MIS developed for monitoring spot-feeding programme for P & L mothers. No details are provided on whether any attempt has been made in avoiding duplication of efforts on the part of AWWs/Supervisors /CDPOs to fill up the additional forms introduced by the State Govt. to monitor spot-feeding programme. Please note, one of the key rationales of the revised MIS has been to minimize the burden of paper-work by the front line workers and to devote their time on more critical aspects of counselling of mothers/pregnant women at the right time with the right advice. It is strongly suggested, that a rationale on introduction of State s own MIS for spot-feeding vis-à-vis the revised MIS introduced by GoI may first be provided before the same is included in the AAP. It is also not clear when the induction training on revised MIS has already been completed in the State (though no status is included in the AAP) using the budgets under regular ICDS Training Programme, why the budgets for development and printing of Facilitators Manual that is meant for induction training only, has now been proposed. Also, it is not clear why 26 batches of additional training of SLMT/DLMFs have been proposed without any justification. Has there been any gap analysis after the roll out is over? The State is suggested to re-work the proposal keeping in view of the above points and also the following: a) Budget for core induction training of ICDS functionaries on roll out of revised MIS at three levels (DLMF- level 3, Supervisor-level 2 and AW -level 1) have already been made available Page 2 of 10

3 under regular ICDS Training Programme. Hence, funds available under ISSNIP for supporting the MIS roll out may be used for: (i) additional training of Supervisors (only) as per the needs after the roll-out is complete and if it is found that some of the AWWs are still not able to fill up the registers/prepare MPRs/ASRs properly; (ii) general orientation (one-day duration) on the revised MIS for the ICDS functionaries (DPOs/CDPOs), instructresses of AWTCs/MLTCs and other stakeholders from the development partners/other departments, who are not part of the master trainers teams at the State/district level. Such orientation has to be conducted by the SLMTs with support of the State TA Team. (iii) organizing review meetings (preferably at the divisional level) on the status of roll-out with the master trainers (DLMFs/Supervisors) for getting their feedbacks and planning for taking corrective actions, as required. b) For monitoring and supervision of quality of MIS roll-out, the State TA Team has been entrusted with the work as per the agreed ToRs. The State/district/block level Consultants under ISSNIP will also undertake this activity once they are hired. So no specific budgets will be required for undertaking supervision of MIS roll-out. Activity - 2: Piloting mechanisms to ensure AWC services to migrants This activity is missing in the AAP. It may be noted that the project s key characteristics is to undertake such pilots on those areas in ICDS, which are hitherto not given much focus to ensure universalization of service delivery. Actvity-3: Support for computerization of MIS up to Block Level No activity has been proposed under this. It may be noted that the support to strengthening MIS under ISSNIP is meant for across all districts and blocks, and is not limited to only project districts/blocks. Suggestions: Given the current priority on e-governance and the increased focus on use of IT for programme monitoring, it is proposed for additional support to the States for expansion of computerization of MIS up to the block level by covering all ICDS blocks in the State. Accordingly, it is suggested that the State Govt. may plan for providing computers with latest peripherals (software/hardware, UPS, internet connectivity) at the district and block level to be procured under ISSNIP after assessing the current needs of the latest computer systems (desktop or laptop), and propose purchase of the same in the Procurement Plan for no objection of the World Bank/GoI. In the project districts and blocks, the computers (desktops or laptops) will additionally be critical to the optimum provision of implementation support by the District and Block Coordinators and Project Assistants hired under the project along with supporting the DPOs/CDPOs for their work under larger ICDS Programme. Activity-4: Training of ICDS functionaries (CDPOs/Supervisors) on using web based MIS and Data Analysis It may be noted the MWCD is in the process of finalizing the web-enabled MIS software through NIC for use by all States that will primarily facilitate data entry of MPRs at the Sector/Block level and collate/generate Block MPRs and other reports. The funds under this activity are meant for training of ICDS functionaries on use of the web-based MIS and also on data analysis. This training is meant for all districts and blocks across the State. Activity-5 (Additional Proposal of State Govt.): The State Govt. has proposed for (i) developing a software on supply chain management at CDPO level for the food supplied by AP Foods through the Centre for Good Governance (CGG) at a cost of Rs lakh and (ii) continuous updation of department website to disseminate guidelines etc. at a cost of Rs lakh. Page 3 of 10

4 Following may be noted: i) Funds under Activity-1 (support to roll-out of MIS) and Actvity-4 (training on web-based MIS) may be pooled together to undertake all MIS related activities including the specific software development as proposed in the AAP. ii) Since the software is to be developed by an external agency, it needs to be included under Consultancy Services of the Procurement Plan and the World Bank Procurement Guidelines have to be followed. It may be noted that engagement of any organization/agency (both government/private/non-government) for undertaking any specific assignment comes under procurement of Consultancy Services and the same must be included in the Procurement Plan for no objection of the World Bank/approval of the GoI. 6. Strengthening Training & Capacity Building a) Activity-2: Incremental learning system is to be implemented in all project districts from this year itself following the GoI guidelines (being issued). Budgets for this activity along with the action plan may be revised accordingly after working out the detailed proposal of monthly orientations of DRGs/BRGs and conducting IL sessions at each level as per the GoI guidelines. Note: The administrative and financial guidelines for ILS provide cost norms per day of training X 3 days; but budget here has been calculated on a per district basis. Please provide more details on the roll out plan and how the breakup of the district wise budget. Under Activity 2: Orientation of BRGs at block level, Rs is per orientation and not per day of orientation. Under task 3: three day training at sector level to AWW, Nutrition counsellors and link workers, it may be noted that budget provided in the Admn. Guidelines is per meeting but not per trainee. b) Under Actvity-3 - inter and intra-state exposure/learning exchange visits, allocation kept under Phase 1 is Rs. 20 lakh, but the State has included the whole amount in itself to make (i) visits of five persons to Maharashtra to understand the Sneh Shivirs implementation at an estimated cost of Rs lakh; (ii) visit of 8 persons to CPMU identified site at an estimated cost of Rs lakh and (iii) intra-district visits to pilot sites at an estimated cost of Rs lakh (@Rs. 50,000/- per visit for 10 visits). The proposal may be re-worked with details annexed for each type of visits as well as keeping in view the needs during also. c) Activity-4 (Leadership building and programme management training) is missing in the cost sheets. This activity is aimed at providing leadership building and programme management skills of the CDPOs/DPOs/State Officials through professional training at reputed institutes. 7. Convergence with health a) Activity-1: Strengthening/formation of State, district and block level convergence committees with NRHM for review and planning Under this activity, it has been proposed to strengthen state, district and block level MAARPU convergence committees on 20 key interventions and supervised feeding of SUW/SAM/MAM children and accordingly proposed conducting state level convergence committee meetings to review the progress of Village level Convergence Committee (VLCC) meetings, MAARPU Darshini and convergence activities as well as conducting similar meetings at district and mandal levels at an estimated cost of Rs lakh, against a total allocation available under this activity for Phase 1 as Rs lakh. It is noted that no details are provided in the AAP about the MAARPU initiative or its 20 interventions and whether these are aligned with the ISSNIP objectives. Norms used per meeting far exceed the norms (almost doubled) as indicated in the Admn. Guidelines of GoI, without giving any rationale. Page 4 of 10

5 It is strongly suggested that this activity along with the associated costs may be pooled together with the implementation of the incremental learning approach (ILA) both at the sector and health sub-centre (HSC) level (Ref. GoI Guidelines on ILA) wherein monthly orientations/reviews of DRGs/BRGs (Health Officials are also Members of these groups) at the district and block level are integral to the ILA process. b) Activity 2 Piloting sub centre level meetings of ASHA, AWW and ANM for joint planning and implementation: Please follow the GoI guidelines on ILA on this. As stated above, as part of ILS, the State may re-work the proposal for conducting HSC level meetings across all HSCs in all project districts instead of 50% HSCs, (i.e. 2,500) as proposed in the AAP, in consultation with the Health Department using the budgets available under Actvity-1 above and Actvity-2. The State may also suitably propose a revised cost norm for HSC level meeting since it is recognized that the cost of Rs. 100/- per HSC meeting for a group of about 8 persons (5-6 ASHA, 1 AWW and 1 ANM) as per the Admn. Approval of GoI may not be sufficient. The cost will include photocopying of learning materials for each month s themes, refreshment of the participants etc. c) Activity 3 Joint Training of Health and ICDS functionaries on common themes: The State has proposed one-day joint trainings of AWW, ASHA, Link Worker, Nutrition Counsellor, Cluster Coordinators CRP and ANM on 20 key points of MAARPU at an estimated cost of Rs lakh against a total allocation of Rs lakh for Phase 1. Keeping in view of the objectives of newly introduced incremental learning approach, it is proposed that the joint training activity may also be aligned with the ILA process since all related common themes between ICDS and health are also proposed to be covered under ILA. The State may accordingly re-work the budgets for all three activities together in order to build a strong convergence model using the ILS at the HSC platform. d) Activity 4 Engagement of PRIs for strengthening convergence: This is missing in the AAP. Orientations of PRI members to support community mobilization for effective service delivery at the AWCs may be taken up on six monthly basis (instead of annually) across all districts. e) Activity 5 Piloting successful models of convergence This is missing in the AAP. Based on central guidance, a pilot on an identified model of convergence with health may be implemented. 8. Institutional Support for Innovations and Pilots a) Activity 2 Piloting Stimulation and cognitive activities for preschool children at AWCs: Under this the State has proposed: Capacity building to AWW in 10% of projects in 10 districts to pilot this activity Revision of pre-school curriculum and provide age specific activity books to promote joyful learning, score card Capacity building or orientation on the use of the new activity books to be procured under the project is important. This could be made part of the IL sessions. Budgets for these activities need to be relooked at, to ensure that they are consistent with and do not exceed provided budgetary allocations. Suggestions: In order to strengthen the quality of preschool activities, it is proposed to expand project s support for development and provision of age-specific activity books for each child in the age group 3-6 years to promote early joyful learning. Earlier it was planned to supply these pre-school activity books to AWC children in 10% AWCs in project districts. This may be now expanded to cover all children in the 3-6 year age group attending AWCs in all AWCs in project as well as non-project districts of the State. However, the State Govt. may first Page 5 of 10

6 make an estimate of the cost for covering all AWCs in the State keeping in view of overall ceiling of Phase 1 allocation for the State. Note: This activity (printing of activity books) is to be included in the Procurement Plan under non-consulting service with a cross reference in the AAP. b) Activity 3 Untied Funds for High Burden Districts to undertake context specific innovations in ICDS: Under this, the State has proposed three interventions/pilots, without any details and the estimated cost is not consistent with the provision in the project, viz. Rs. 25 lakh per district per year. Pilot-1: Identification and management of SUW/SAM/MAM children in all 10 districts at an estimated cost of Rs lakh. It is noted that a provision of Rs per day per child has been provisioned for 40,000 children for 300 days under this pilot, which implies cost of additional food supplements. This activity is not approved since providing food supplements to children under ISSNIP is not an agreed activity, and it is covered under ICDS General Scheme. Pilot-2: Kitchen gardens in IAH projects in all 10 districts at cost of Rs lakh No details are given. This pilot may be proposed under Component 3 convergent nutrition actions. Pilot-3: Establish nutrition helpline at state level at accost of Rs lakh No details are given. It is suggested that details on the concept, implementation plan and budget for all proposed district based pilots may be worked out and include the same in the revised AAP. Please ensure that the budgetary allocations for pilots are not exceeded. As a start, the pilots can be initiated in 1 or 2 districts, and need not be implemented in all project districts. In this regard, the concept of mobile academy/mobile kunji (learning through use of mobile phones and using it as an aid to counselling), being implemented in Bihar under the Bill Gates and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) support for health front-line workers, may be referred to, for developing an ICT pilot. Note: It is expected that the State would review the existing innovations/good practices (having potential to impact programme outcomes in respect of child under nutrition) that have been/are being implemented in the State or elsewhere with/without support of the Development Partners or by the Govt. themselves and accordingly propose specific district based pilots with necessary details. The State TA Team is required to support the SPMU on development of such pilots through a process of review/consultations with the relevant stakeholders. The draft AAP does not throw any light on whether any such process was followed or not. c) Activity 4 Piloting second worker model: It has not been proposed in the AAP. Since under the restructured ICDS provision for second worker has been made in the high burden districts, it is suggested that the allocation of Rs lakh under Phase 1 for this pilot may be utilized for any other pilots including the scaling up of age-specific activity books for pre-school children (Actvity-2) as above. 9. Implementation support at District and Block level Budgets under this sub-component (remuneration for all district and block level staff, all recurring administration costs) are to be made for a maximum of 6-9 months in this FY given the delays in hiring of the staff at the district/block level. Suggestions: Given the critical role of the District ICDS Office in strengthening the programme systems, e.g., training, monitoring, roll-out of interventions under ISSNIP as well as the restructured ICDS, it is proposed to provide the following additional hardware support at the district and block level under the project: Page 6 of 10

7 a) One photocopier to each of the DPO office - This is to facilitate smooth functioning of the district teams including those working under main ICDS programme b) One projector and LCD Screen to each of the DPO and CDPO Office This is to facilitate and systematically strengthen regular training/orientation of Supervisors/AWWs, monitoring and review of programme implementation and also support the roll-out of the new interventions under ISSNIP as well as the restructured ICDS. The State Govt. may consider using the resources available under ISSNIP for improving the existing infrastructure of the ICDS District/Block Offices by providing the above essential hardware with the latest configuration and associated updated software. The State may make estimates for procurement of the above items in addition to the available support to the District under project 1 lakh per district for non-recurring items) and include the same under Goods in the Procurement Plan for approval of the GoI/World Bank. 10. Component 2: Community Mobilization and BCC Sub-Component: Community Mobilization and participation Out of seven planned activities under this sub-component, the State has proposed only three activities. a) Activity 1 - Map and assess capacities of CSO/CBO to undertake community engagement and BCC activities. No details are provided. This activity may be undertaken with the help of State TA Team. b) Activity 2 Piloting models of community engagement. This is missing in the AAP. c) Activity 3 - Capacity building of CBOs for engaging in ICDS. Under this the State has proposed one day orientation to Village Organisation (VO) Chairperson and Cluster Coordinator/SHG members along with AWW at a cost of Rs lakh. Please note the norm for such orientation is Rs. 250 per AWC per orientation and two orientations per AWC per year. d) Activity 4 Implementation of social audit and other community monitoring pilots: This is missing in the AAP. e) Activity 5 Organization of Community based events for sensitization on key health and nutrition issues: No descriptions are available in the AAP. In the budget sheet, the State has included this activity twice a year (as against twice a quarter) at an estimated cost of Rs per AWC per event. GoI guidelines dated 30 July 2014 may be referred to for planning of this activity. Recognizing that cost of organizing different events may vary, it is suggested to restrict the same to Rs. 250 per event. Evidence from some of the States shows that if organized systematically, such events have potential to not only create awareness about the health and nutrition positive behaviours, but also to promote the same among the communities especially among the mothers of children under three years, through live demonstrations of weaning foods, high nutritive value snacks/recipes and dietary diversification. Keeping view of this, it has been agreed with the World Bank to expand and intensify the systematic organization of such community events by: a) scaling-up the conduct of such events across all AWCs in project districts with immediate effect; and b) revise the schedule from the existing two events every quarter to once every month. The State may accordingly re-work the cost estimates for this activity. f) Activity 6 Partnerships with NGOs/CSOs for supporting community mobilization and Behaviour Change Activities: This activity is missing in the AAP. g) Activity 7 Implementation of PPP pilot: This activity is missing in the AAP. Page 7 of 10

8 Sub-Component: Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Against a total allocation of Rs lakh for Phase 1 under this sub-component, the State has proposed activities for an estimated amount of Rs lakh. This is due to non-adherence to the GoI norms for Activity 3, i.e. mid-media initiatives as highlighted below. a) Activity 2 Strengthening home contacts: Under this, the State has proposed Home visits and small group discussions on 20 key points (MAARPU) by trained community resource persons (CRP) at habitation level for 700 Gram Panchayats in each 3,200/- per Gram Panchayats in all 10 districts (total cost estimate: Rs lakh as against an allocation of Rs lakh). Please note that under this activity, the project provides for implementing a pilot (@ Rs. 25 lakh per State per year) on incentivising the ICDS field functionaries (AWWs/Supervisor) for carrying out home visits and counselling of mothers. Furthermore, it is found that though the cost norm is Rs 25 lakh per state, the cost allocated to this activity is 10 times the allocation. Please rationalize the same. It is also unclear what this money will be used for. Please provide details of the intervention along with breakup of costs. The State may re-work the proposal accordingly and may also align the budgets available under this with the ILS both at the sector and HSC level. b) Activity 3 Implementation of mid media initiative such as folk theatre and film shows: Five activities are proposed under this and steps and cost norms proposed in the Admn. Guidelines have not been followed: i) State level training to Kalajatha troupes (Rs lakh) ii) Implement another round of Kalajathas in Year 2 with expanded scope in all 147 projects in 10 districts (Rs lakh) Norm for performance of folk troupes is Rs lakh per district as per Admn. Guidelines and not Rs lakh per project as used in the AAP. Accordingly, cost may be re-worked. iii) Wall writings/paintings on key messages on nutrition, child development and SNP entitlements (Rs lakh) This does not come under the purview of mid-media activities and is not agreed to. May be proposed under district-based pilots (Component- 1E) iv) Develop Model Anganwadi Centres (Rs lakh) It is unclear what this entails and how it is linked to mid-media initiatives. As such, there is no provision enumerated in administrative and financial guidelines for development of model AWCs in Phase I in every block; hence, not agreed to. v) TV Spots on services and entitlements (Rs lakh) This does not come under the purview of BCC activities, hence, not agreed to. c) Activity 4 - Advocacy and knowledge sharing: This important activity is missing in the AAP. Please note this activity aims at building political and administrative commitment on nutrition issued in the State through organization of periodic conferences and meetings with the MPs, MLAs and District Collectors. Suggestions: To supplement the Behaviour Change Communication efforts through community events, inter-personal counselling and mid-media initiatives under ISSNIP, it is proposed to provide weaning bowls (Katoris of stainless steel with measure/markings) for all children 6 months to 2 years old children attending AWCs in project districts as an innovative activity. Evidence from Bangladesh shows that such small measure of providing a weaning bowl to the mothers/caregivers of children 6 months to 2 years has significantly improved the appropriate feeding practices of infants and young children at the household level with age-appropriate diets that are adequate in quality and quantity. Having such a bowl not only served as a constant reminder but helped mothers/caregivers give their young children the recommended amounts and types of food per the recommended number of times every day. Such an effort has also been Page 8 of 10

9 tried in a pilot in Bihar supported by a development partner. This is expected to assist the mothers in ensuring the practice of feeding their children with the right quantity and quality of food on a daily basis. Inappropriate feeding of infants and young children at the household level is often not maintained and is one of the main causes for growth-faltering in this age group. It is suggested that the State Govt. may consider this as an innovative activity and include in the AAP after making an assessment of the requirement of number of weaning bowls. The same may be included in the Procurement Plan under Goods. 11. Component 3: Piloting Convergent Nutrition Action The MAARPU of the State Govt., which is a multi-sectoral initiative, may be considered for piloting convergent nutrition actions in at least one district under ISSNIP. The State may identify the district (s) where the pilot will be taken up. 12. Component 4: Project Management, Technical Assistance, Monitoring and Evaluation Sub-Component: Project Management i) Please include actual salary of the JPC who is to be a Govt. Employee on deputation to the Project. ii) Ref. to 2 Sept 2013 order of GoI, position of one Data Entry Operator in lieu of two Peons/Office Messengers has been approved while in the AAP, the same has not been taken note of. iii) Norms for travel cost of Consultants may be made as per the prevailing practices under the WB assisted projects in the State. It is understood that the same may have been finalized by the State since the SPMU Consultants have been recruited in March A copy of the contract signed between the State Govt and individual Consultants in the SPMU may be shard with the CPMU, for reference. iv) Norms for all administrative/operating costs should not exceed the norms in the GoI s Admn. Approval and Guidelines dated 10 January 2013, unless specified in the AAP with reasoning. Sub Component: Project Monitoring and Evaluation a) Activity 2 District level rapid assessments (RAPs) and ongoing internal assessments at sector level using Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) approach Please note that the LQAS will be implemented through ICDS Supervisors with support of the State TA Team (guidelines will be provided by CPMU/Central TA Team), but the district-based rapid assessments (RAPs) are to be conducted through external agencies across all project Rs. 5 lakh per districts (ant not Rs. 2 lakh as proposed in the AAP). (Note: the TA Team will provide the sample ToRs for this activity). This is also to be included in the Procurement Plan under consultancy services. b) Activity 3 Operations research (OR) and Evaluations of pilots: It may be noted that under this activity, allocation of Rs lakh has been kept for Phase 1 to primarily conduct evaluation/operations research of various pilots proposed under ISSNIP. The State has proposed following two studies, but without any details: i) Assessment of diet and nutritional status of children below 5, adolescent girls and pregnant/lactating women by National Institute of Nutrition at an estimated cost of Rs lakh The purpose of this nutritional survey by NIN is unclear. Funds under the project have been provided for Operations Research studies that support assessment of pilots under the project and not for a state wide nutrition survey. Furthermore, the budget allocated to each OR/evaluation of pilot etc is Rs 30 lakh. The cost enumerated for this activity is almost 2.5 times allocated budget. Page 9 of 10

10 During , the MWCD in collaboration with UNICEF has conducted a nation-wide survey (Rapid Survey on Children-RSOC) that inter-alia includes the above assessment, especially in respect of nutritional status of below-5 year children and AGs. The State Govt. is aware of this fact. Results of the survey are expected to be disseminated very shortly. Hence, the proposed study is not agreed to. ii) Impact of Spot Feeding programme on nutritional status of Pregnant/Lactating women and their newborns by National Institute of Nutrition at an estimated cost of Rs lakh The proposed activity seems to be an assessment of the recently introduced IAH programme of the GoAP wherein spot feeding was introduced by the government. Please note that ISSNIP seeks to promote evidence based decision making and interventions and therefore supports the design and implementation of evaluations being undertaken by the government. However, it is important to ensure that the robust evaluations are designed and CPMU inputs are taken while finalizing the same. Details of the study objectives and scope of work in the form of a ToR may be worked out first after including this in the Procurement Plan ( Consultancy Services) and shared with GoI/WB for approval/no objection. It may be noted that such studies are to be conducted through external agencies following World Bank Procurement Guidelines/Methods. The State cannot pre-decide on selection of the agency, like in this case, NIN, which is a Govt. Organization. c) Activity 4 Social Assessments/Ethnographic Studies in SC/ST minority areas to facilitate development of appropriate communication strategies and materials No study has been proposed under this. Please include at least one social assessment study during this year, to be conducted through an external agency. Page 10 of 10