Bolangir: Days after massive irregularities in sattu procurement were found, widespread malnutrition cases have now been causing concern in Bolangir with reports suggesting more than 23,000 children have been afflicted with the disease, District Social Welfare Office stated.
From reports we have received for the month of June, 23,256 children are underweight 2096 children are suffering from severe malnutrition, district social welfare officer Harekrushna Pradhan told OTV.
Reports from the office suggested an increase in the cases of malnutrition over last two months. 22,571 cases were registered in the month of May out of which there were 2,019 cases of severe malnutrition while the statistics rose to 23,226 last month in June with 77 more kids adding to underweight category.
Though there are several government schemes like Positive Deviance Approach (PDA), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program, Community based Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) programme designed to cater to the needs of children and pregnant women, so many cases of malnutrition is astonishing.
But with questions over quality of sattu amid allegations of irregularities and cancellation of funds under CMAM programme by the State Government, the fight against malnutrition seems to have weakened.
On the other hand debates have started to heat up on the issue with Assembly Public Accounts Committee Chairperson and Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra saying that not only Bolangir but such irregularities in basic food supplies meant for welfare of children and women are occurring throughout the state.
“I had raised the issue with the collector and it is also a responsibility of the PAC to inspect whether government funds are being spent in right manner.
District administration meanwhile has refuted the allegations. "The figures of malnutrition cases that are being alleged are incorrect. We don’t have any such figures,” Collector Asish Thakrey said.
Also Read: Bolangir MGNREGS scam: Fake job cards in Govt employees