BHUBANESWAR: With members cutting across party lines voicing concern over inferior quality ready-to-eat chhatua being supplied to children, pregnant and lactating women, and out-of-school adolescent girls under supplementary nutrition programme, Speaker Surama Padhy on Saturday directed the state government to give a statement on the action taken against the agencies for the irregularities in the last five years.
The directive to deputy chief minister and Women and Child Development minister Pravati Parida came after members from the Opposition and treasury benches jointly alleged massive corruption in supply of the nutritious cereal mix even after the change of government in the state.
Promising stringent action, Parida requested members to give specific instances of corruption or low quality chhatua being supplied to the beneficiaries. “If there is any complaint against a specific chhatua brand, I will direct a departmental inquiry,” she said.
Replying to a question from BJP MLA from Bangiriposi Sanjali Murmu, the minister said implementation of take home ration (THR) has been decentralised by engaging local self-help groups (SHGs) in preparation and supply of chhatua to anganwadi centres (AWCs). Senior officers of the district administration and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) functionaries remain present in the ration units during the mixing procedure.
Parida said, the Jaanch committee, a grassroot-level monitoring unit having representation of local villagers, and the Mothers’ committee monitor the supply of THR at the AWCs by the SHGs and distribution of the same to the beneficiaries. They also visit the households to monitor the quality of supply, consumption and counsel the beneficiaries on the benefits of THR.
BJP MLA from Simulia Padmalochan Panda alleged massive corruption in the supply of THR and said the suppliers were getting protection from department officials. He urged the minister to order a special audit of the supply of THR.
Senior Congress member Tara Prasad Bahinipati, BJP MLAs Nihar Mahananda and Sidhant Mohapatra also pointed out that not only chhatua but other items supplied under THR were also of inferior quality and urgent measures are needed to stop it.
The Digapahandi MLA said, no one should be allowed to compromise on the quality of chhatua as it involves the health of children and pregnant women. Instead of shifting the blame on others, all elected members have a role in stopping the malpractice in preparation and supply of chhatua, he said.