Bhubaneswar: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Odisha Assembly will investigate into the alleged scam in distribution of Sattu to children and pregnant women in Bolangir district.
Informing about the development, PAC chairperson and Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said, "The matter will be discussed in the PAC on July 4. All the concerned officers in Bolangir district have been notified in this regard. This is the food of children and expectant mothers. So, the PAC has taken it very seriously," Mishra added.
The Bolangir MP Kalikesh Singh Deo has said not only one store but all such stores procuring ingredients for Sattu must be inspected.
The Bolangir Collector, Ashish Thakre has said sub collector has begun enquiry and action will be taken as per the enquiry report. “We have ordered a detailed enquiry and will take action as per the report. All Child Development Project Officers (CDPO) have been asked to give information on the matter. We have zero tolerance policy on irregularities in children’s food,” said Thakre.
The PAC’s move came after the scam was exposed through Right To Information (RTI). The information was received through RTI by an activist Anang Kumar Thakur. Based on the report, OTV had telecast the news regarding the scam two days ago.
The RTI data revealed that purchase bills of various ingredients for Sattu preparation mentions name of a shop situated on Bolangir main road. However, there is no such shop in the whole district.
Moreover, Maa Sabitri Self Help Group (SHG) was the lone customer of Ganesh Kirana Store, that is only present on pen and paper from 2011-15.