Chhattisgarh Government has taken a strict stand on the complaints received about the quality of materials being given to children and women in the Anganwadi centres of the state. Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Rajwade has ordered a probe into the incident.
Keeping in view the reports appearing in various newspapers and media, Minister Rajwade had directed the Departmental Secretary Shammi Abidi to conduct an immediate inquiry and submit a detailed report. He made it clear that ensuring the quality of materials provided for children and women is our topmost priority. Negligence or negligence of any kind will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken against the accused.
In compliance with the directions of the Minister, Director, Women and Child Development Department, Padum Singh Elma has constituted an expert committee to check the quality of materials distributed in the Anganwadi Centres of Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur, Janjgir-Champa, Jashpur and Surguja districts.
The Committee comprises of Joint Director (Finance), Directorate of Women and Child Development (Chairperson), Managing Director, representative (Member) nominated by CSIDC, Principal, representative (Technical Member) nominated by GEC Raipur, concerned District Programme Officer (Member), Assistant Director, ISDS (Convener), representative (Technical Member) nominated by IR Class System and Solution Pvt. Ltd. and representative (Technical Member) nominated by SGS India Pvt. Ltd.
The committee is entrusted with the responsibility of checking the physical condition and quality standards of the material. At the same time, instructions have also been given to send the suspected or testable samples to the laboratories recognised by the state government for scientific analysis.
The entire process is aimed at ensuring that the nutrition content provided in the Anganwadi centres is completely safe, quality and conforms to the standards. The inquiry committee has to submit its detailed report within 15 days, based on which the department will ensure further action.