Report on

State Attachment
(Kerala)

Integrated Child Development Scheme

and
Kudumbashree Local Economic Development

Submitted to:

Institute of Secretariat Training

& Management, New Delhi on
//2023
by

Participants of Kilimanoor Group (113th Level

D)
Smt Babita Saxena, D/o Investment and Public Asset
Management
Shri Nagender Kumar, D/o Commerce
Shri Harinder Singh, D/o Posts
Shri Harish Kumar, M/o Home Affairs
Shri Rajender Parkash, Competition Commision of India
Team Members of Kilimanoor
Group
(along with BDO and CPDO of
Kilimanoor Block)
Table of Content
Topics Page No
Acknowledgement 1

State Attachment 2
State of Kerala: God’s own country 3
Women and Child Development, Kerala 4
Schemes Allocated 5
Block and District assigned 5
Part I : Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) 6
1. Introduction 6
1.1 Objectives of the schemes 6
2. Convergence of different Ministries and Schemes 7
3. Scheme component and interventions 8
3.1 Early Childhood Care Education & Development (ECCED) 9
3.2 Care and Nutrition Counseling 10
3.3 Health Services 12
4. Block Level 13
4.1 Block ICDS Mission Committee 13
4.2 Anganwadi Level Monitoring & Support Committee 14
(ALMSC)
5. Financial Resources and Flow of Funds 14
6. Role of Functionaries at Village Level & Block Level 15
7. ICDS in Kerala 15
7.1 Kilimanoor 15
7.1.1 The Anganwadi Services Scheme 15

7.1.2 Roadmap for Implementation of the Scheme 16

 7.1.3 Delivery of services to Beneficiaries 16

7.1.4 Recommended Dietary Allowances 16

7.1.5 State Specific Nutrition Interventions 16
7.1.6 District Wise details of ICDS Projects in Kerala 17
7.1.7 Panchayat-wise SNP beneficiaries 18

7.1.8 Allocation of Funds (SNP) 18

7.2 Achievements Under ICDS in Kerala 19

7. 3 Conclusion 19

Part II: Kudumbashree

1. Introduction 21
2. Background 21
3. State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM) 22
3.1 Characteristics of SPEM 22

4. Grassroots of Kudumbashree 23
4.1 Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs) 23

4.2 Area Development Societies (ADSs) 24

4.3 Community Development Society (CDS) 24

5. Current Status of Kudumbashree 24

6. Economic Empowerment 25
6.1 Micro Finance 25

6.1.1 Thrift & Credit Societies 26

6.1.2 Bank Linkage Programme 26

6.1.3 Matching Grant to Thrift & Credit Societies 26

6.1.4 Interest Subsidy 27

6.1.5 KAASS 27
 6.1.6 FINANCIAL LITERACY CAMPAIGN 27

6.1.7 E-Shakt 27

6. Micro Enterprises 28
2

6. Collective Farming 28
3

6. Micro Housing 29
4
6. Special Enterprises 29
5

6.5.1 Amrutham Nutrimix 29

6.5.2 Janekeya CanteeN (Community Kitchen) 31

7. Field Experiences and Observation 31

7.1 Pavitram Activity Group (Handicraft), Perumkadavila 31

7.2 Thamburu (Handloom Unit), Vadakara Village, 31

Perumkadavila Gram Panchayat, Thiruvanathapuram.

7.3. Star Pappadam (Pappadam unit) 32

8. Findings 32
9. Suggestions 33
10 Conclusion 33
.
11 Photographs Taken During Field Visits 35
.
11.1 ICDS 35

11.1.1 Thirupavoor Aanganwadi 35

11.2 Kudumbashree 36

11.2.1 Nutrimix factory 36

11.2.2. Janekeya Hotel, Perumkadavila Panchayat Office 37
11.2.3 Pavitram Activity Group (Handicrafts) 38
11.2.4 Thamburu Handloom Unit, Vadakara Village 38
11.2.5 Star Pappadam Unit, Thrippalavoor Village 39
 Acknowledgement

We convey our sincere gratitude to ISTM (Institute of Secretariat and Training

Management), Delhi and IMG (Institute of Management in Government),
Thiruvananthapuram, for giving opportunity to this Group gain hands on experience and
familiarize ourselves with the procedures in implementing various schemes run by the State
Government of Kerala.

We also take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the Faculty Members of the
IMG for their untiring support lent to this Group to have an insight into the working of the
State Administration including the role of the Local Self Government at the level of Block
Panchayat, Village/Gram Panchayat, Self-Help Groups etc. and also arranging field visits to
Village Kilimanoor of Kilimanoor Block of Thiruvananthapuram district during the period
from 30/01/2023 to 10/02/2023, to interact with the beneficiaries, directly, under Integrated
Child Development Scheme and Kudumbashree (Local Economic Development
Programme).

We are also indebted to all the Officers at the Block, Gram Panchayat level for their
unconditional cooperation for arranging interaction with the beneficiaries, who provided us
useful inputs during the field visits to complete the project report.

Our special gratitude to Shri Rahul Thankaraj, Assistant Professor, IMG, for
acquainting us with the physical conditions of Kerala by arranging various sight visits for the
whole Group before coming to the actual purpose of State Attachment. He has also lent us
support in providing logistical support, transport arrangements and acting as a Translator
(Ms.Anushree) in between the local people and this Group. This has immensely helped us
understand the nuances of the schemes and easy communication with the beneficiaries. We
thank all our colleagues in their endeavor for timely completion of this report.
 State Attachment

The State Attachment with the Government of Kerala was a good exposure to the
functioning of the LSGIs and the ground realities in the State. The State agencies spared their
valuable time and gave overview of their organizations and the activities being taken up by
them in the State and provided study material available to the extent possible to understand
the scheme.

This attachment has given us the awareness to analyze a policy issue in its entirety,
keeping in view the perspective of the implementing agencies and the public perception of
any scheme which plays an important role in successful implementation of the scheme.
 State of Kerala: God’s own country
Kerala state is on the Malabar coast in the southwest region of the country, flanked by
the Arabian Sea in the West and the Western Ghats in the East. It is bordered by Tamil Nadu
to the South and East, Karnataka to the North.

Kerala is home to almost 3% of India's population, and its land is three times more
densely settled than the rest of the country. The coastal regions are more populated than the
mountains and eastern hills of the state with 2.5 times the overall population density.

Kerala is one of India's most progressive states in terms of social welfare and quality of
life. The State boasts of one of India's highest literacy rates, highest life expectancy and
lowest child mortality rates. The literacy rate for women in Kerala is one of the highest in all
of Asia.

The major cities in Kerala are: Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kannur, Kozhikode (or
Calicut) and Kollam. Kerala has 14 districts divided on the basis of geographical, historical
and cultural similarities. The 14 districts are further divided into 21 Revenue Divisions, 14
District Panchayats, 63 Taluks, 152 Community Development Blocks, 1466 Revenue
villages, 999 Gram panchayats, 5 Corporations and 60 Municipalities.
Palakkad District is the largest district in the State while Kannur district is the second
largest district in the State and the most urbanized of all the districts in Kerala and Alappuzha
is the smallest district in the State. Malappuram is the highly populated district in
Kerala.Kerala is also considered the healthiest and cleanest State in India.

Women & Child Development, Kerala (WCDKER)

The Women & Child Development Department, Kerala functions for ensuring the holistic,
physical, psychological, cognitive and emotional developments of women and children and a
gender sensitive family, community, programme and policy for the development and
protection of women and children.
The department is taking various initiatives and programmes for Child Development (ICDS),
Child Protection(ICPS), Women Protection and Women Empowerment . Some of the
flagship programmes are as follows:
Schemes Allotted
The schemes allotted as a part of the State attachment are:

(i) Integrated Child

Development Scheme
and
(ii) Kudumbashree Local Economic Development

Block and District assigned

● Perumkadavila Gram Panchayat

● Perumkadavil

a Block

Thiruvananthapuram
 Part I
Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS)
1. Introduction
Launched in 1975, Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) is a unique early childhood
development programme, aimed at addressing malnutrition, health and also development needs
of young children, pregnant and nursing mothers.

ICDS consists of 4 different components, namely:

1. Early Childhood Care Education & Development (ECCED)

2. Care & Nutrition Counseling

3. Health Services

4. Community Mobilization Awareness, Advocacy & Information, Education

and Communication

The ICDS, Centrally Sponsored Scheme, is anchored by the Ministry of Women and Child
Development (MoWCD), Government of India (GoI).

1.1 Objectives of the Scheme are broadly classified as follows:

- Institutionalize essential services and strengthen structures at all levels:
o Implementing ICDS in Mission mode to prevent undernutrition

o Strengthen ICDS- AWC as the first village post for health, nutrition
and early learning

o Focusing on children under 3 years

o Focusing on early child care and learning environment

o Moving from outlays to child-related outcomes

o Fostering decentralization and community based locally responsive

child care approaches
- Enhance capacities at all levels:
 o Vertical integration of training of all functionaries to strengthen field
based joint action and teamwork to achieve desired results and objectives

o Establish national training resources centers at Central & State levels

 - Ensure appropriate inter-sectoral response at all levels:

o Ensure convergence at the grassroots level by strengthening partnerships

with PRIs, Communities, Civil Societies to improve Child development
services
o Coordinate and network with all Government & Non-
Government Organisations providing services for children
- Raise public awareness and participation :

o Strengthen maternal and child care, nutrition and health education

o Raise public awareness at all levels about vulnerabilities of children

o Inform beneficiary group and public about availability of core services

o Promote social mobilization and voluntary action

- Create database and knowledge base for Child development services:

o Strengthen ICDS Management Information System (MIS)

o Use Information, Communication Technology (ICT) to

strengthen the information base and share & disseminate
information

o Undertake Research and Documentation

The Anganwadi Services (under Umbrella Integrated Child Development Services) is a

Centrally Sponsored Scheme and the Government of India releases grants-in-aid to the States /
UTs presently on the following cost sharing ratio between Centre and States/UTs:

Percentage of Cost
Sl. No. Contributors for the Scheme Sharing (Centre &
State)
States & UTs (With Legislature):
i • ICDS (General) [Salary/honorarium/programme 60:40
components 50:50
)
• ICDS (Supplementary Nutrition Programme)
Ii NE States and Himalayan States (all components) 90:10
Iii Union Territories (without Legislature) (all components) 100:0

2. Convergence of Different Ministries & Schemes

In implementation of the ICDS scheme, convergence is brought in between many Central
Ministries and their services are framed into the 4 different components of ICDS. The Ministries
involved for convergence with ICDS is given in the figure below.
3. Scheme Component and Interventions

The scheme envisages interventions in four different components to achieve its objectives.
The Scheme components are grouped into different services detailing the interventions that are
suggested along with the activities to be carried out to enable achievement of the ultimate
objectives of the Scheme.

The components and related interventions and the beneficiaries are detailed in this segment.

Scheme Framework may be referred to for comprehensive information on these interventions.

The four components of the scheme are shown below.

ICDS Scheme Components

3.1 Early Childhood Care Education & Development (ECCED)
The services and interventions that are grouped into the Early Childhood Care Education &
Development (ECCED) component are given in the table below along with activities to be
carried out and the functionaries responsible for them.

Interventions & Activities in Early Childhood Care Education &

Development (ECCED)

Service & Interventions and Activities Functionaries

Target Responsible
Beneficiaries
Providing Early Interventions: Anganwadi
Childhood care - Guidance to Parents through Home visits Worker (AWW)
and Education / - Early screening and referral /
Pre-school Non- - Monthly monitoring & promotion of child growth & Second AWW
formal Education Developmental milestones cum Child Care
- Fixed Monthly village ECCE Days & Nutrition
The beneficiaries - Non-formal pre-school education: Counselor
o Activity based Supervisor is
of this service o Semi-structured play & learning method
require to
are: - Quarterly monitoring & promotion of child growth & d
- 0-6 year Developmental milestones attend at least
Children Activities: 2 EECE meetings
- Parents / - Provide Non Formal Pre-School Education to per month
Care givers channelize child’s energy and also offer substitute

Service & Interventions and Activities Functionaries

Target Responsible
Beneficiaries
care to younger, to free older Siblings, especially girls
to attend school
- Make children school ready with holistic development
activities
- Engage with Parents group / Mothers group to enable them
train their children through play mode
- Conduct ECCE day capacity building to parents and
Grandparents for increased parent led child learning.
Involve NGOs and School teachers in ECCE Days

Supplementary Interventions: AWW/ Second

Nutrition - Morning Snack, Hot Cooked Meal and THR as per norms AWW/
Activities: Anganwadi
The beneficiaries - Supplementary nutrition to be ensured for a minimum of Helper (AWH)/
of this service 300 days in a year Self Help
are: - Bridge between the Recommended Dietary Allowance Groups
(SHGs)/
- 6 months to (RDA) and the Average Daily Intake (ADI) of beneficiaries Others
6 Yrs. - The Supplementary Nutrition Rules are issued by MWCD
- Pregnant in 20174
and
Lactating
Mothers
3.2 Care and Nutrition Counseling
The services and interventions that are grouped into the Component of Care and Nutrition
Counseling are detailed in the table below along with activities to be carried out and the
functionaries responsible to carry out these activities.

Service & Interventions and Activities Functionaries

Target Responsible
Beneficiaries
Infant & Young Interventions: AWW/Second
Child feeding - IYCF practices comprise of breastfeeding for first six AWW cum
(IYCF) Promotion months of life and appropriate complementary feeding nutrition
& Counseling - Skilled one to one counseling through home visits Counselor/
Activities: Supervisors/
The beneficiaries of - Advice women on Food intake Accredited Social
this service are: - Advice on breast feeding activity designed to give Health
- Pregnant nutritional food to children Activist
and - For optimal breast feeding practices linked to growth (ASHA)
lactating monitoring / Auxiliary Nurse
Mothers - Complementary Feeding Midwife (ANM)
- Mothers of - Home visits and follow-ups
Children

Service & Interventions and Activities Functionaries

Target Responsible
Beneficiaries
under 3
years
Maternal Care Interventions: ASHA/ ANM/
Counselin - Early registration of pregnancy Medical Officer
g
The beneficiaries of - Counseling on diet, rest and IFA compliance during (MO) / Second
this service are: Home visits AWW cum
- Pregnant - Monitoring Weight gain nutrition
and - Examination for pallor and oedema and any danger signs counselor
Lactating
- Home based counseling which is essential for new- born
Mothers
care, lactation support & counseling on spacing
Activities:
- Nutrition counseling to all the women in age group of 15 –
45 years
- Counseling and Behaviour Change Communication
(BCC) to women regarding:
o Basic Health Care, Nutrition, Maternal Care and healthy
food habits
o Childcare, infant feeding practices, utilization of health
services,
o Family planning and Environmental Sanitation
- Lactation support includes support for initiation of
breastfeeding through skilled counseling

Care, Nutrition, Interventions: AWW/ Second

Health - Monthly health and nutrition education sessions AWW cum
& - Education on improved caring practices – feeding, health nutrition
Hygiene and hygiene and psychosocial counselor /
Education - Knowledge sharing for care during pregnancy, Supervisor
lactation and adolescence
The beneficiaries of - Promotion of local foods and family feeding
this service are: - Appropriate Food demonstration
- P&L Mothers - Celebration of Nutrition week, Breastfeeding week, ICDS
and other day etc.
caregivers, Activities:
- Community - Weighing children 0-3 years on monthly basis and 0-6
and families years children on quarterly basis.
- Maintain weight-for-age growth charts for all children 0–6
yrs. as per WHO Child Growth Standards.
- Identifying growth faltering and appropriate counseling of
caregivers on optimal infant and young child feeding and
health
- Providing joint Mother and Child Protection card to each
mother to track the nutritional status, immunization
schedule and developmental milestones for both child and
pregnant and lactating
mothers

Community Interventions: AWWs/ AWH/

Service & Interventions and Activities Functionaries

Target Responsible
Beneficiaries
 based care and - 100% Weighing of all eligible children and identification of Supervisors/
managemen of underweight children Mother’s
t
Underweight - Referral to NRCs/MTCs for children requiring medical Group/ PRIs/
Children attention SHGs/ MO
- 12-day Nutritional counseling and care sessions for required
The beneficiaries of children (Sneha Shivirs)&18-day home care and follow up Additional
this service are: during home visit Anganwadi
Moderately and Activities: Worker /
severely under- - Providing hands-on training on caring practices is given at Nutrition
weight children & “Sneha Shivirs” to mothers and caregivers of underweight Counsellor
their mothers / care children at AWCs for 12 days, followed by 18 days home
givers practice. ASHA and ANM
- Tracking of the weight growth of the children during as facilitators
the 18 days home practice through home visits.

3.3 Health Services

The services and interventions that are grouped into the Component of Health Services are
detailed in the table below along with activities to be carried out and the functionaries
responsible to carry out these activities.

Service & Intervention and Activities Suggested Functionaries

Target Responsible
Beneficiaries
Immunization and Interventions: ANM/MO/ ASHA/
Micronutrient - Regular fixed monthly VHNDs AWWs as
Supplementatio - Primary Immunization facilitators
n
- Boosters
- TT for Pregnant women
The beneficiaries of - Vitamin A supplementation (9 months – 5 Years)
this service are: - IFA supplementation (infants after 6 months of age)
- 0-3 years - Deworming as per guidelines & Counseling
- 3-6 years Activities:
- P & PL - Ensure immunization of pregnant women and infants.
Mothers - Children to be given Vitamin A and Booster Doses as
per the national immunization schedule
- AWW to assist health functionaries for complete
coverage.
- Organizing and conducting fixed day immunization
sessions, known as “Village Health Nutrition
Days (VHND)” at the AWC

Health Interventions: ANM/MO/ASHA/

Check-up
- Antenatal Care (ANC)/ PostNatal Care (PNC)/Janani AWWs
Suraksha Yojna (JSY)
- Support for Integrated Management of Neonatal &
 Service & Intervention and Activities Suggested Functionaries
Target Responsible
Beneficiaries
The beneficiaries of Childhood Illness (IMNCI)/ Janani Shishu Suraksha
this service are: Karyakram (JSSK)
- 0-3 years - Identification of severely underweight children requiring
- 3-6 years medical attention & support community
- P & PL Activities:
Mothers - Carry out regular health check-ups, recording weight,
immunization, support to community based management
of malnutrition, treatment of diarrhea, deworming and
distribution of iron and folic acid and medicines for minor
illness
- AWC to control common ailments like fever, cold,
cough, worm infestation etc. including medicines
and basic equipment for first aid

Referral Interventions: ANM/

Services
- Referral of severely underweight to health facility / NRCs MO/ ASHA/
The beneficiaries of - Referral for complications during pregnancy AWWs
this service are: - Referral of sick new-borns and sick children
- 0-3 years Activities:
- 3-6 years - During health check-ups and growth monitoring sessions
- P & PL refer sick and malnourished children as well as pregnant
Mothers lactating mothers in need of
prompt medical attention, to the Health facilities

4. Block Level
4.1 Block ICDS Mission Committee
At Block Level, Block ICDS Mission Committee is headed by the SDM or Chairperson of the
concerned Panchayat Samiti as Chairperson or Co-chairperson of Block ICDS Mission
Committee

The composition of the committee is detailed below. The Child Development Project Officer
(CDPO) is the Block Mission Committee Convenor. Administratively, Block Development
Officer and Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) are responsible for conduct of the
meetings and providing the committee with required information, co- ordination etc.
 4.2 Anganwadi Level Monitoring & Support
Committee (ALMSC)
Anganwadi Level Monitoring & Support Committee (ALMSC) on ICDS with Gram
Panchayat/Ward member as Chairperson and Anganwadi Worker as Convenor and other
community based village members. The Committee will organize regular monthly meetings to
discuss various issues in Anganwadi in the village or ward and copy the minutes sent to the
Block Level Committee and CDPO.

5. Financial Resources and Flow of Funds

For approval of the Plans and funding of the project, the Districts prepare the District Child
Development Action Plan which is consolidated to prepare the Annual Programme
Implementation Plan (APIP) at the state level. The plans are prepared as per the prescribed
norms in the Scheme.

Construction of AWC

For construction of an AWC building, as per the prescribed norms, an amount of Rs. 4.5 lakh is
allocated for construction of new building and Rs. 1 lakh for renovation of the old building to
make it child friendly. The cost is borne in 75:25 by Centre & State.
6. Role of Functionaries at Village Level
& Block Level
The CDPO is the Block level implementation head of Block ICDS Mission and the
responsibilities are described below. Monitoring17 at CDPO and AWW level are detailed by
CMU.

Anganwadi level is the grassroots level of the project implementation. Anganwadi Centre is
manned by Anganwadi Worker assisted by Mini Anganwadi Worker and / or Anganwadi Helper.
At the Anganwadi level, Anganwadi Level Monitoring and Support Committee (ALMSC)
oversees and coordinates with AWW in implementation of the Project. Village Health Sanitation
and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC) is the committee monitoring implementation of the scheme
at Village Level, supporting the AWW and Supervisor in implementation of the programme

7. ICDS in Kerala

ICDS was launched on October 2nd, 1975, as a pilot project in Vengara in Malappuram
district.After 40 years of operation in the State, ICDS has developed into a vast network of
33115 AWCs providing various services to beneficiaries in the 14 districts across the State.
Now
the scheme expanded to 258 ICDS projects of which 234 Projects are in Rural area, 23 in Urban
and 1 in Tribal Area.
 7.1 Perumkadavila

Perumkadavila is a Block in Thiruvanathapuram with 8 panchayats under it. They

Perumkadavila, Kollayil, Kunnathukal, Vellarada, Ampoori, Aryancode, Ottasekharamangalam
and Kallikadu. It has a population of 218271. The Block Presient is Sh.Lal Krishnan .G . The
BDO is Sh.Syamkumar and CDPO is Ms.Sindhu.

There are 5 Standing Committees viz., Finance, Development, Welfare, Health and
Education. The Block is in forefront in MGNREGA scheme crossing 50,000 beneficiaries. The
Grievance Redressal Mechanism is very efficient .uram

7.1.1 The Anganwadi Services Scheme offers a package of six services.

 7.1.2 Roadmap for Implementation of the Scheme

7.1.3 Delivery of services to Beneficiaries

Services Target Group Service provided by

Supplementar Children below 6 years, Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi

Pregnant & Lactating Mothers Helpers (Ministry of Women & Child
y Nutrition
(P&LM) Development, GoI)
Immunization Children below 6 years, ANM /MO
Pregnant & Lactating Mothers (Health System, Ministry of Health
(P&LM) & Family Welfare, GoI)
 Health Children below 6 years, ANM/MO/AWW

Pregnant & Lactating Mothers (Health System, Ministry of Health

Check-up
(P&LM) & Family Welfare, GoI)

Referral Children below 6 years, AWW/ANM/MO

Pregnant & Lactating Mothers (Health System, Ministry of Health

Services
(P&LM) & Family Welfare, GoI)

Pre-School AWW
Children 3-6 years (Ministry of Women & Child
Education
Development, GoI)
Nutrition & AWW/ANM/MO
Health Women (15-45 years)
(Health system, MoHFW & MWCD)
Education

7.1.4 Recommended Dietary Allowances

Category Calories (K Cal) Protein (g)

Children 500 12-15

(6-72 months)
Severely Underweight 800 20-25

Children (6-72

months)

Pregnant Women and Nursing 600 18-20

Mothers

7.1.5 State Specific Nutrition Interventions

Sampushta keralam NNM- specially designed programmes

kunjoonu 6th month complementary feeding initiation

Dambathi sangamam Sensitize LM and her spouse on nutr. needs

Seemantha sangamam Sensitize PW and her family on nutr. needs

Varna sangamam Nutritional needs of AGs

 Nirmala samgamam Sensitize community on need of public health msr.

1st 1000 days program Currently in 28 ICDS projects of the state

Poshaka balyam Provide 125 ml of mil and 1 egg- twice a week

Thenkanam 6 ml honey to preschool children- twice a week

Campaign 12 Intensive anemia reduction campaign

Nutrition clinics Individual nutrition counseling programmes

Parenting clinics Providing psychosocial counseling

7.1.6 District Wise details of ICDS Projects in Kerala

(as on December, 2019)

Source:wcd.kerala.gov.in
 7.1.7 Panchayat-wise SNP beneficiaries
S.No. Name of Panchayat Child Child Pregnant Lactating
(0-3 yrs) (3-6 yrs) women mothers
1 Kollayil
3307 1519 574 549
2 Kunnathukal

3 Vellarada

4 Ampoori

5 Perumkadavila
2160 1416 405 391
6 Aryancode

7 Ottasekharamangalam

8 Kallikadu

7.1.8 Allocation of Funds (SNP)

Financial Year Allocation (in Rs.) Expenditure (in Rs.)

2019-20 727764 727764

2020-21 976281 976281

2021-22 1783639 1783639

7.2 Achievements Under ICDS in Kerala
● Reduction in underweight prevalence

● Improved IYCF (Infant and Young Child Feeding practices)

● Reduction in anemia, IMR and MMR

● Reduction in incidence of low birth weight babies and still births

● Improved early learning outcomes

7.3 Conclusion
a) ICDS provides the platform to meet the primary requirements of
nutrition, supplementary nutrition, pre-school informal education to the children
up to the
age of 6 years. The scope of the scheme also covers adolescent girls, pregnant
women and lactating mothers.
b) Inter-actions at field level have indicated that ICDS has helped
in improving the status of maternal and child under-nutrition.

c) The objectives of the scheme have led to a natural convergence

of various schemes/services for pooling of resources.

d) A regular mechanism for interactions at the national/state level for

identifying those schemes that may be converged may help to enhance
the effectiveness of the core objectives of ICDS programme.

e) The project of ‘Smart Anganwadi’ may be expedited to further

strengthen streamline the mechanism of delivery of services to the beneficiaries.
 PART - II
KUDUMBASHREE - LOCAL ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT- AN OVERVIEW (STATE SPONSORED
SCHEME)

Kudumbashree, the Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission was launched on 17th
May 1998 inaugurated by the then Prime Minister, Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The Mission aims to eradicate absolute poverty within a definite time frame of 10 years
under the leadership of Local Self Governments formed and empowered by the 73rd and 74th
Amendments of the Constitution of India. The Mission launched by the State Government
with the active support of Government of India and NABARD has adopted a different
methodology in addressing poverty by organizing the poor in to community-based
organizations. The Mission follows a process approach rather than a project approach.

Kudumbashree, a community organization of Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs) of

women in Kerala, has been recognised as an effective strategy for the empowerment of
women in rural as well as urban areas: bringing women together from all spheres of life to
fight for their rights or for empowerment. The overall empowerment of women is closely
linked to economic empowerment. Women through these NHGs work on a range of issues
such as health, nutrition, agriculture, etc. besides income generation activities and seeking
micro credit.

Kudumbashree differs from conventional programmes in that it perceives poverty not

just as the deprivation of money, but also as the deprivation of basic rights.

Kudumbashree was conceived as a joint programme of the Government of Kerala and

NABARD implemented through Community Development Societies (CDSs) of Poor
Women, serving as the community wing of Local Governments. Kudumbashree is formally
registered as the "State Poverty Eradication Mission'' (SPEM), a society registered under the
Travancore Kochi Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Act 1955. It has a governing
body chaired by the State Minister of LSG. There is a state mission with a field officer
in each district. This official structure supports and facilitates the activities of the community
network across the state. The poor need to find a collective voice to help claim these rights.
 The grassroots of Kudumbashree are Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs) that send
representatives to the ward level Area Development Societies (ADS). The ADS sends its
representatives to the Community Development Society (CDS), which completes the unique
three-tier structure of Kudumbashree.

It is this network that brings women to the Gram Sabhas and helps them bring the
needs of the poor to the attention of the local governments. The Community Development
Societies are also very active in Government programmes and play significant roles in
development activities ranging from socio-economic surveys and enterprise development to
community management and social audit.

Through its efforts to engage women in civil society in development issues and
opportunities, Kudumbashree in association with the local self-government of Kerala is
charting out new meaning and possibilities for local economic development and citizen
centric governance.

1. INTRODUCTION
Kudumbashree meaning “Prosperity of the Family ''. It is the poverty eradication and
women empowerment programme inaugurated on 17th May, 1998, by the then Prime
Minister of India, Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Malappuram District of Kerala.
Kudumbashree’s mission is to strengthen both local governments and the women’s
community network to take on the challenges in developing their own unique and sustaining
model of Local Economic Development. This model involves community participation
through the women's network in micro level planning and development. It also involves
convergence of resources and programmes at the level of local government.

2. BACKGROUND
From early days various forms of microfinance practices have been in existence. When
the concept of Self Help Group (SHG) was introduced in the 1980s, it was quick to gather
momentum. In the early 90s a community led poverty identification format was developed as
part of the Alappuzha UBSP (Urban Basic Services Programme). By this time, the NABARD
(National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) promoted SHG and linkage banking
programme had been established as a viable microfinance model. In 1994, the CBNP
(Community Based Nutrition Programme) project of Malappuram tried to assimilate these
experiences and developed a women based community structure for service delivery of
government programmes.

The 73rd & 74th Constitutional amendments strengthened PRIs (Panchayati Raj
Institutions) and ULBs (Urban Local Bodies). Shortly afterwards the People’s Plan
Campaign (PPC) for decentralized governance created strong local self-governments
(Panchayats and Municipalities) in the State.

Thus it can be said that Kudumbashree is a joint programme of the State Government
of Kerala and NABARD, implemented through Community Development Societies (CDSs)
of poor women, serving as the community wing of Local Governments.

3. STATE POVERTY ERADICATION MISSION (SPEM)

The working slogan of the State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM) is “to reach out
the family through women and reach out the community through family”. It is formally
registered as a society under the Travancore Kochi Literary, Scientific and Charitable
Societies Act 1955. It has a governing body chaired by the State Minister of LSG (Local
Self-Governance), Kerala. There is a state mission with a field officer in each district. This
official structure supports and facilitates the activities of the community network across the
state. The poor need to find a collective voice to help claim these rights.

3.1 CHARACTERISTICS OF SPEM

The two distinguishing characteristics of SPEM’s model of empowerment are:

(a) The universality of reach

Since its inception Kudumbashree has attempted to bring every poor woman in
the State within its fold. As a consequence of which it is today present in every
village panchayat and municipality, and almost in every ward, colony and hamlet.
The sheer spread of Kudumbashree is only possible because the local community
of women drive the system and it has managed to persevere.
(b) The scope of community interface in local governance

The functioning of Kudumbashree is tied up to the development initiatives of the

local government be it for social infrastructure, welfare or right based
interventions or for employment generation. From food security to health
insurance; from housing to enterprise development; from the national wage
employment programme to the Jagratha Samiti every development experience
depends on Kudumbashree to provide the community interface.

Using these opportunities Kudumbashree strives to convert a microfinance led

financial security model into a more comprehensive model of local economic
development.

4. GRASSROOTS OF KUDUMBASHREE
Kudumbashree consists of a three-tier structure with Neighbourhood Groups (NHG),
Area Development Societies (ADS) and Community Development Society (CDS). It is one
of the largest women’s network in the world. While the community network is formed
around the central themes of poverty eradication and women empowerment, its main features
include democratic leadership, and support structures formed from the ‘Kudumbashree
Family’.

4.1 NEIGHBOURHOOD GROUPS (NHGS)

Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs) are the primary units of the Kudumbashree

community organisation. Ten to twenty women from a neighbourhood form a NHG. The
membership, structure, and functions of the NHGs are bound by the byelaws of
Kudumbashree CDS. Membership is open to all adult women, and is limited to a single
membership per household. The NHGs are strengthened by nurturing it with facilitation
trainings, education and support system of the Local Self Government. NHGs in
Perumkadavila are 312 and total members in NHG aare 4895.
4.2 AREA DEVELOPMENT SOCIETIES (ADSS)
Area Development Society (ADS) is the middle tier of the Kudumbashree community
organisation. ADS is formed at the ward level of the local governments. There is a one-to-
one communication between the wards and ADSs except for the tribal ADSs which are
formed with special permission of the government.

In a Gram Panchayat, the ward member is the patron of the ADS. Similarly, in
Municipalities and Municipal Corporations, ward councillors are patrons of the ADSs. In
places where ward development committees exist, ADS works as its sub-committee.

4.3 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY (CDS)

Community Development Society (CDS) is the apex body of the three-tier

Kudumbashree community organisation. It functions at the local government level, in both
rural and urban areas. While typically there is a CDS per local government, there can be
more CDSs for urban government institutions with relatively large number of NHGs and
ADSs.

As the apex tier of the community network, CDS has the responsibility to monitor the
activities of the NHGs and ADSs affiliated to it. In addition, CDS works as a local
government level entity of women and works closely with local governments in development
programmes. The role of CDS has been institutionalised in the processes for plan formulation
and implementation at the local governments.

5. CURRENT STATUS OF KUDUMBASHREE

The network of Kudumbashree covers more than 60% of the families in the State. Total
thrift collected by NHGs is Rs. 5398 crore and Internal loans generated are of Rs. 21,441
crore. As per the data available 3.1 lakh NHGs have availed Rs 13,774 crore worth of loans
through bank linkage (Source: Lecture by Chief Operating Officer, Kudumbashree at IMG on
01/02/2023)
6. ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
Economic empowerment is one of the central themes of Kudumbashree Mission to
promote economic empowerment of the poor and contribute to local economic development.
The Mission has several programmes for economic empowerment targeting women and
youth from the Kudumbashree family network. Major Kudumbashree programmes are
collective farming and enterprises. However, micro finance, which helps the poor in
accessing institutional finance, has been the first initiative in local economic development.

The various initiatives under Kudumbashree to boost the Local Economic

Development are clustered under the following programmes:

(a) Micro Finance

(b) Micro Enterprises

(c) Farming and Animal Husbandry (Collective Farming)

(d) Micro Housing

(e) Special Enterprises

6.1 MICRO FINANCE

Microfinance is the effective tool for the economic development of the society and it
has been the basic thrust of Kudumbashree to address poverty, since its inception. It has
touched many lives through its integrated and comprehensive approach to wipe out poverty
through women empowerment. Thousands of the poor and the marginalised population are
building their lives, their families and their society through these neighbourhood groups and
has gone a long way in drawing international recognition.
The various activities taken up by Kudumbashree under Micro Finance are:

(a) Thrift and Micro Credit;

(b) Bank Linkage Programme;

(c) Matching Grant to Thrift & Credit Societies;

(d) Interest Subsidy;

(e) KAASS;

(f) Financial Literacy Campaign;

(g) E-Shakti.
Brief activities on each of these activities are given below:

6.1.1 THRIFT & CREDIT SOCIETIES

The Thrift and Credit Societies are formed with the objective of encouraging the
poor women to save their meagre means to widen the resource base of the NHGs. Women
bring their little bit of savings when they come to attend the group meetings. This money is
entrusted to the Community Volunteer, who in turn deposits it in the nearest bank. Each
member is given an individual pass book. The Thrift and Credit Societies are considered as
poor women’s bank. The poor women, who were hitherto dependent on their men folk for
every need and did not know the meaning of economic independence, has managed the
impossible under Kudumbashree.

The function of thrift and credit is the core activity of the Kudumbashree
Neighbourhood Group (NHG) and forms the basis of the weekly meetings of the NHG. The
amount of loan and the priority of disbursement are decided by the NHG. The repayment is
collected weekly during routine NHG meetings. The details of total thrift collected by NHGs
and internal loans generated are reported in the monthly meetings by CDS.

6.1.2 BANK LINKAGE PROGRAMME

The Bank linkage programme has made inclusive growth possible by providing easy
access to bank loans without any physical collateral. The efficiency and effectiveness of the
NHGs are verified on the basis of some objectively verifiable and easily identifiable
parameters. NABARD has developed a 15-point index for rating NHGs on the basis of which
they will be allowed to link with various banks under the Banking Linkage Scheme.

6.1.3 MATCHING GRANT TO THRIFT & CREDIT SOCIETIES

Easy access to bank linkage programme has checked the poor from approaching
money lenders. In order to motivate the NHGs to come forward for bank linkage programme
Kudumbashree has designed an incentivising programme called matching grant. Here the
linked NHG will be given a grant of Rs.5000/- or 10% of their thrift (whichever is lesser).
 6.1.4 INTEREST SUBSIDY
Government of Kerala has introduced a new interest subvention scheme to promote
Bank Linkage Programme among Kudumbashree Neighbourhood Groups. Under this scheme
all Kudumbashree NHGs are eligible for interest subvention to avail the loan facility at an
interest rate of 4% on credit upto Rs. 3 lakhs. The interest subsidy would be provided as
annual instalments to the NHGs.

6.1.5 KAASS

KAASS (Kudumbashree Accounts & Audit Service Society) is a home grown

enterprise to ensure proper account keeping in the community network. Each district has
been furnished with a KAASS team that has been drawn from commerce graduates and is
guided by professional chartered accountants. These teams have been facilitating
management of accounts at the NHG, ADS and CDS levels. KAASS team mainly point out
the defects in existing accounting system prevailing in respective NHGs/ADS/CDS and
rectify wherever required. There are over 355 members in 46 KAASS groups across the state.

6.1.6 FINANCIAL LITERACY CAMPAIGN

Kudumbashree programmes cover several lakhs families organised under NHGs
through CDSs. All NHGs have bank accounts through which members of NHGs have access
to savings and credit services of banks. The NHG is acting as intermediary between
banks and ultimate beneficiary. Kudumbashree has chalked out a comprehensive Financial
Literacy Campaign in order to provide a platform for NHGs to spread awareness about
banking procedures, interest rates etc. so that they can get benefit from formal banking
services. There are annual financial literacy programmes of various kinds to address NHG
members.

6.1.7 E-SHAKTI
E-Shakti or Digitisation of SHGs is an initiative of Micro Credit and Innovations
Department of NABARD in line with our Hon'ble PM statement, ‘we move with the dream of
electronic digital India...'. Keeping in view the Government of India's mission for creating a
digital India, NABARD has launched a project for digitisation of all Self Help Group (SHG)
in the country.
 In order to execute the plan Kudumbashree has selected 350 animators who will be
collecting the base line data of NHGs in the prescribed format and will digitize it in the
portal. Kudumbashree has given tablet to all these animators for digitalisation of NHGs.

6.2 MICRO ENTERPRISES

Kudumbashree views Micro Enterprise Development as an opportunity for providing
gainful employment to the people below poverty line and thereby improving their income
and living standard. Here entrepreneurs come up with business ideas and set up their units,
without a standard design or method and availing support of various kinds from
Kudumbashree.

In the experience of Kudumbashree micro enterprise development is an emerging

process which will start with low capital low risk and low profit at the initial stage which will
gain momentum and later switch on to low to medium capital and then to low to medium
risk. In an advanced stage, it may even reach medium capital, medium risk and
medium profit with appropriate technology, emerging technology or even with low
technology. One lakh micro enterprises are run by 2.5 lakh women of Kudumbashree.

Some of the Micro Enterprises Projects are:

● Women Construction Groups

● House Keeping Services

● Sanitary Napkins Units

● Streetlight Repairing

● Event Management Team

● Day Care Centres

● Led Bulb Assembling Units

● Painting Units

6.3 COLLECTIVE FARMING

Collective farming is cultivation of fallow farm land taken on informal lease by groups
of Kudumbashree women with the support of panchayats and the Kudumbashree community
network. It aims to provide economic empowerment of women while helping local
governments in moving towards food security.
 Farming is done by Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) along the lines of the group concept
promoted by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) and MKSP (Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana
under the NRLM (National Rural Livelihood Mission) are also involved in collective
farming. 7572 Joint Liability Groups having 3,78,810 members are cultivating 20348 ha
of land in Kerala.

6.4 MICRO HOUSING

Micro housing is an innovative housing programme designed by Kudumbashree to

cater the housing need of the poor families in Kerala. Kudumbashree implementing this
programme with the active support of Nationalised, Scheduled Commercial and Private
Sector banks in Kerala. Under this programme poor families, who are in dire need of
constructing new houses are able to avail loans from banks and the repayment of which is
ensured by tri-party agreement between the beneficiaries, the Community Development
Societies and the Financial Institutions/Banks.

6.5 SPECIAL ENTERPRISES

6.5.1 AMRUTHAM NUTRIMIX

Amrutham Nutrimix, a nutritional supplement distributed to children under the ICDS
through Anganwadis. It is the common brand name used for this nutritional supplement.

There are 396 micro enterprises run by the women of the Kudumbashree network
producing and supplying Amrutham Nutrimix, a nutritional supplement distributed to
children under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS). Amrutham Nutrimix has
241 units in Kerala and its turnover is Rs.120 crore approximately.

Process:

Powdered mixture of roasted wheat, soya chunks, Groundnuts and Chana Dal. It is cooled
and mixed with powdered mixture (Mixture A). In a mixture machine, the said mixture is
mixed with another mixture containing 11 micronutrient (fortified by WHO) (Mixture B).
The ratio of A:B is 100 kgs:600 gms, 100 gm Nutrimix contains 16.14 gm of protein;
5.44 gm of fat; 69.37 gms of Carbohydrate; 26 gms of sugar and 1.05 gms. of fibre.

The procurement of wheat is through FCI at Rs.2.80 per kg. (subsidised rate).

Nutrimix units became successful through the working together of several agencies and
departments. Some of them are listed in the Table given below:
Nutrimix Units and Agencies Involved
Agencies Involved Activities
Kudumbashree mission Capacity building, liaison with government and other
agencies, production protocol, quality control

CDS Selection of entrepreneurs/groups, capacity building,

periodic monitoring

Local government Infrastructure support, facilitation, quality check

Department of Social Welfare Client, distributor, protocol checks
Department of Health Quality monitoring
Department of Civil Supplies Supply of raw materials
Private and Government Sample testing
Laboratories

CPCRI, Kasargod Nutrimix recipe and production protocol development

Banks Financial support

While the units have an assured market through the ICDS blocks and anganwadis,
managing supply side is a challenge. As the price is fixed by the government, fluctuations in
raw material prices can adversely impact the units. Maintaining quality standards is the most
critical factor in running the nutrimix units. This requires an integrated approach covering the
entire value chain starting from quality assurance of raw materials, through production as per
the protocols, and safe distribution.

In order to maintain the high levels of quality warranted by the nature of the business,
production processes have been improved through the introduction of better machinery.
These included pulverisers, roasters, weighing scales, and packing machines. Kudumbashree
has also supported the units in upgrading the technologies and processes.
 6.5.2 JANEKEYA CANTEEN (COMMUNITY KITCHEN)

It is an extraordinary initiative by Kudumbashree during Covid period. Elderly of

Kerala were provided food by these Community Kitchens called Janakeya Canteen for a
meagre amount of Rs.25/- per meal during the entire lock down period with the pulses and
vegetables grown by JLGs.

Even today the canteens provide food three times a day to the houseless, destitutes and
people who are poorer than BPL . A volunteer distributes the food packets to those who are
identified by the concerned panchayats.

Others who can afford are charged Rs.20/- for vegetarian meals and Rs.25/- extra
for non-vegetrian meals . Packed meals are charged Rs.25/- only.

7. FIELD EXPERIENCES AND OBSERVATIONS

7.1 Pavitram Activity Group (Handicraft), Perumkadavila

Panchayat Thiruvananthapuram District (Owned By Smt. Prafulla
Kumari.
Theu Unit started in 2012 with the funding of Rs. 1 lakh from Kudumbashree.
Kudumbashree also helped the couple by providing Rs. 50,000/- as loan during crisis.
Handicrafts are made of Teak wood and the same is exhibited and sold through Saras
Mela , Festival melas, school exhibitions and Army Camps. Till date they have
participated in 100 exhibitions. Products also exhibited in Kovalam Crafts Village.
RECENTLY THEIR PRODUCTS WERE EXHIBITED IN TRIVANDRUM RAILWAY STATION FROM 24TH JAN TO
7TH FEB,2023. PRODUCTS ALSO SOLD ON KUDUMBASHREE ONLINE PLATFORM.

Vision: Expand Art work on large scale.

7.2 Thamburu (Handloom Unit), Vadakara Village, Perumkadavila

Gram Panchayat, Thiruvanathapuram.

This unit was started with Rs.4 lakhs (loan from Kudumbashree and Block
Panchayat) by 5 members. It received subsidy of Rs.2 lakh. It is also received

Rs.18,500/- as Covid Resilience Fund.

The raw materials are bought from Balaramapuram Handloom Village. Basically
 they weave Mundu. One Mundu is weaved in 5 hours and cost incurred for one
Mundu is Rs.700/- and the same sold at Rs.1100/-by them. They work about 8-9 hours
a day. Their target is 150 Mundus per week. Their products are sold through online
platform of Kudumbashree. They also are marketed through melas like festival season
mela etc.

Vision: Expand their work by procuring more handlooms and working 10 hours
per day.

7.3. Star Pappadam (Pappadam unit) , Thrippalavoor Village, Perumkadavila Gram

Panchayat, Thiruvananthapuram {Owned by Smt.Ranju U.R. and Sh.Sajan R.
(Husband)}

It is the first handmade Pappadam unit in the Gram Panchayat which was
started in April,2022 with an investment of Rs. 3 lakhs (Invesment and
administration charges provided by the Panchayat) and has tasted an early success.
Their pappadam is in great demand. A revolving fund of Rs.50,000/- was also given
to them by the Kudumbashree. To meet the demand they have procured machines.
Raw materials are procured from Balaramapuram. Products are sold in the melas
organised by Panchayat, Agriculture melas, market, online platform of
Kudumbashree.

Vision: To expand their unit by procuring more machines by taking loan from
Kudumbashree .

8. Findings

a) Marginal improvement in income and asset

b) Online Marketing and latest marketing strategies to be adopted.

c) Pvt. people are entering into similar businesses/ trades in large numbers making
the competition difficult

d) NABARD should provide interest free loan to Kudumbashree

e) Timely processing and sanction of loan to Kudumbashree to motivate the
beneficiaries

9. Suggestions
a) Increase the support from authoritys

b) Increase awareness programmes

c) Motivate local people

d) More Financial Literacy Campaigns may spread awareness about banking

procedures, interest rates etc. to avail formal banking services.

10. Conclusion
Kudumbashree is the lifeline to many of the poor women in the state of Kerala. It
assumed the status of helpline to many. The formation of NHGs of the women covering
urban, rural and tribal areas of the state helps developing poor women into vibrant micro
entrepreneurs. Resultantly, the poor women of the state have become active participants in
the planning and implementation process of various anti-poverty programmes. By
participating in various income generating –cum-developmental activities, the morale and
confidence of women become very high. Capacity of the poor women of the state in several
areas has gone up considerably, status of women in families and community has also
improved. Kudumbashree has gained national and international acclaim as an ideal and
workable model of participatory development for eradicating poverty. Women who were
regarded as voiceless and powerless started identifying their inner power, their strength,
opportunities for growth, and their role in reshaping their own destiny. It opens a new vista in
development history. A new paradigm of participatory economics has been found emerging
in “God’s Own Country”. Kudumbashree presents a unique model of participatory
development, which can very well be emulated by other States.
11. Photographs Taken During Field Visits
11.1 ICDS
11.1.1 Thirupavoor Aanganwadi
11.2 Kudumbashree
11.2.1 Nutrimix factory
11.2.2. Janekeya Hotel, Perumkadavila Panchayat Office
J
 11.2.3 Pavitram Activity Group (Handicrafts)

11.2.4 Thamburu Handloom Unit, Vadakara Village

11.2.5 Star Pappadam Unit, Thrippalavoor Village