Vigilance smells rot in mid-day meal dal

Bhubaneswar: A day after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) expressed concern over the nutritional deficiency in the KBK districts, state vigilance department conducted raids in four districts suspecting adulteration of pulses provided under supplementary nutritional and mid-day meal scheme.

During raids at 13 places in Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Jajpur, the sleuths learnt that the anganwadi centres and primary schools which are covered under the schemes receive low quality dals, purchased below the estimated price.

“The case is under joint verification stage and after verifying various levels and kind of people involved at various stages, we will take permission from the government and will take definite action”, said Anup Patnaik, DG Vigilance.

While Rs 63 crore and 71 lakh, Rs 55 crore and 67 lakh, Rs 44 crore and 74 lakh and Rs 33 crore and 40 lakh were granted to Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Jajpur districts respectively, the vigilance department unearthed evidences that children at these institutions get poor quality local pulses inspite of the arhar dal for which Rs 75 per kg is being given by the government.

“Even after all these years of monitoring, there is still strong evidences of chronic malnutrition in the KBK districts. And that is the issue on which we are focusing so that this problem is indeed and for that focus we need close monitoring of the work that is being done for the state government”, said Satyabrat Pal, Member, NHRC.