Mir Iqbal
SRINAGAR, May 11: Putting the health of hundreds of children on jeopardy, the Social Welfare Department has been using expired spices in the Anganwadi Centers in Khag area of Central Kashmir’s district Budgam.
The spices including cooking oil, chili powder and turmeric powder were found expired in dozens of these centers, but the centers have been serving the food to children prepared by using these expired spices from last few month.
An official of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, wishing anonymity, told Excelsior that they received complaints about the use of some food items with expiry date in dozens of centers at Khag area, but no one took the complaints seriously in the department.
He said the use of unhygienic spices in some centers came to limelight after some Anganwadi workers complained that no fresh supply was provided to them and they have been forced to use previous year stock while cooking food items.
“After receiving frequent complaints, the department sent inspection team to these centers and it was found that expired spices were being used in some centers,” he said.
The Department of Social Welfare under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, sponsored by the Central Government provides free nutrition to the children under the age group 0-6 years. This scheme is aimed for enhancing the health, nutrition and learning opportunities for pre-school children and their mothers by simultaneously providing all the requisite services at the village level.
An Anganwadi worker, wising not to be named fearing official reprisals, said they complained before their higher-ups, but they (officials) didn’t issue proper orders for destroying or clearing the expiry stocks.
Sources in the Child Development Officer Budgam said that a supervisor in the office was immediately transferred despite Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for his alleged role in disclosing the same before public.
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