CHENNAI: Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal Programme Department have said that there were no irregularities in the procurement of eggs for the noon-meal scheme in the State. A department release said transparency was ensured in the procurement of eggs for the noon-meal programme in Anganwadis and schools across the state. The government invited open tenders as per Tender Transparency Act 1998 and Tamil Nadu Transparency in Tender Rules 2000.
The tender would be given to the supplier who agrees to supply for the lowest price. One egg was procured at `4.34 in Tamil Nadu, while in Andhra Pradesh it was `4.68 and in Jharkhand `5.93. The cost of the egg was inclusive of all expenses, including packaging, labelling and distribution. The eggs procured in 2017-2018 are ‘A ‘medium grade Agmark certified eggs which are not less than 45 grams.
In five years from 2013-2014 to 2017-2018, the government had spent `2,031.22 crores for procurement of eggs. The government was providing weekly one egg for one to two years of age group, weekly three eggs for two to five years group and five eggs for one to ten years group. There are no irregularities in egg procurement and media reports are not true, the release said.