July 2nd 2024.
In Jajpur district, the state government's efforts to enhance the health and well-being of children through the Integrated Child Development Scheme have hit a roadblock. Recently, worms were discovered in the suji halwa premix packets that were meant to be distributed to children between the ages of six months to three years. This has raised concerns about the efficacy of the scheme, which has been in place for over a decade.
The irregularity came to light when a woman shared a video alleging that worms were found in the halwa premix packets produced by a women's federation in Alipur village. It was shocking to learn that such substandard food had been distributed to children for the past ten years, putting their health at risk. The premix, which is made by mixing suji, gram flour, sugar, and oil, is supposed to be prepared by adding boiled water or milk. The instructions clearly state that no additional oil or sugar is needed, and the children should consume 60g of halwa per day. However, when the halwa was consumed, it lacked taste due to the absence of sugar, gram flour, and oil, making it unappealing to the children.
Concerned residents have reported that the dal previously distributed to the beneficiaries was of good quality, but the sattu and halwa were found to contain excess wheat and suji. As a result, children from low-income families are forced to eat the substandard halwa, which provides no nutrition and is a waste of government funds. Locals have also accused agencies of producing substandard food and embezzling money from the government under the guise of providing nutritious food to children. They further alleged that such malpractices are rampant because officials are not conducting field visits and are turning a blind eye in exchange for bribes.
Earlier, during a visit to the Anganwadi centers in Kundal and Danda Haripur villages, the District Social Welfare Officer found that substandard sattu was being distributed. A show-cause notice was issued to the office bearers of the manufacturing firm, but no action was taken against them due to interference from influential individuals. Since then, no appropriate measures have been taken against any agency for producing substandard sattu and halwa premix. When contacted, the DSWO stated that she had not received any complaints but ensured that an investigation would be conducted and appropriate actions would be taken.
It is vital to note that the ICDS aims to promote the holistic development of children and reduce the incidences of mortality, morbidity, and malnutrition. However, malnourishment is still prevalent among children, making them weak and susceptible to diseases such as anemia. In some cases, their limbs become lean, and their stomachs bloat while their heads grow larger than their bodies. The primary goal of the scheme is to provide children with nutritious food and protect them from malnutrition. However, frequent reports of substandard food distribution have raised doubts about the successful implementation of the scheme.
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