Odisha blacklists 38 SHGs for supplying substandard chhatua to children

The Odisha government has taken strict action against Self-Help Groups (SHGs) found supplying substandard chhatua (Sattu), a key nutritional supplement provided to young children under state welfare schemes.

In a written reply presented in the State Assembly during the ongoing session, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister informed that 38 SHGs across 15 districts have been blacklisted over the last five years for compromising on food quality.

Chhatua, distributed mainly through Anganwadi centres, plays a crucial role in providing essential nutrition to infants and toddlers. The discovery of low-grade supplies raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of thousands of children who depend on government-supported nutrition programs.

Officials stated that the SHGs involved were found violating the prescribed quality standards, thereby endangering vulnerable beneficiaries.

In a glaring example, two sisters died under mysterious circumstances in Ramagiri village under R Udayagiri block of Gajapati district. The Collector confirmed that the deaths occurred after the minor girls consumed a food mix believed to be a combination of flour (Atta) and gram flour (Besan) instead of the Chhatua.

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Meanwhile, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering safe, nutritious food to every child and ensuring that such violations are dealt with firmly to prevent recurrence.