JOIN USSpeaking at a news conference here on Wednesday, Anandswamy said that during 2008 and 2010, a firm from Tamilnadu was given the contract of supplying food to the anganwadis and Stree Shakthi Sanghas to benefit children and pregnant women respectively.
However, officials are joining hands with this firm and misusing crores of rupees, he added.
Expressing anguish, he mentioned that only 70 per cent of children are being supplied with food under the schemes. In every taluk of the district, he alleged that Child Development Officers were withdrawing ` 25 to 30 lakh and misusing the funds.
Even though the rules states that children should be provided food twice a day, they are being provided only lunch. Accusing officials of misappropriation of funds, he said that records are being manipulated by showing that children are present and indicating that all the food was distributed to students.
Observing that anganwadi workers were being used by officials to carry out the corrupt practise, he said that instead of announcing new schemes, the government has to plug the leaks in the existing schemes.
He accused seven CDPOs, one deputy director and other officials of laundering funds. He demanded an investigation by the Lokayukta to stop the fraud.
DSS District Convenor Devagalli Somashekar, K P Mahalingu Kalkunda, Sichrem District Human Rights Centre Convenor Prasanna, Mallesh Chunchanahalli and K Hanumanthu were present.