Mismatch in weight of rice sacks supplied to Anganwadis in Nabarangpur?

Nabarangpur: The sacks of rice reaching different Anganwadi centres of Raighar block in Nabarangpur district weigh at least 10 to 15 kgs less than the ideal weight, allege Anganwadi workers in the area.

The 50 kg sacks supplied to these centres contain only about 40 to 38 kgs of rice. This ultimately affects the quantity of meals served to students, the staff rued.

“The Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) office supplies us the rice. We do not weigh the sacks when they are unloaded at our centres,” said Babita Gonda, a worker at the Kundei Anganwadi centre.

Jahantini Gonda of Kaudola Anaganwadi centre said, “The ICDS office tells us that the rice bag contains 50 kg rice and takes our signature. However when we weigh them, it weighs only 40-35 kg.”

While the Anganwadi staff rued that despite repeated complaints about the mismatch in weight, no action has been taken by the higher-ups, the Kundei Sarpanch, Sanaraj Gonda demanded a probe into the misappropriation.

“Investigation must be done to find out where the 12-13 kgs rice vanishes and those involved in the irregularities must be punished,” Gonda said.

Refuting the charges, Raighar Child Development Project Officer (CDPO), Minati Behera stated no complaint has been made to her so far.“It has not come to my notice nor has any Anganwadi worker filed any written complaint regarding the matter. If  the matter comes to my notice, I will inform the higher-ups,” Behera said.