The energy food sachets which were expired on March 1, 2009 was spotted by the DYFI members at Anganagundi Anganwadi near Baikampadi on the outskirts of the city.
Producing the expired energy food sachets, DYFI district President Muneer Katipalla urged the Additional Deputy Commissioner Prabhakar Sharma to conduct an inquiry into the issue. Katipalla briefed Sharma that there were nearly 10 bags of such expired energy food packets in the Anganwadi.
He also pointed out that another batch of energy food sachets with June 2, 2009 expiry date was also spotted at the Anganwadi. However, all the expired and near expiry date stock has been shifted from the Anganwadi by an official on Monday morning, he added.
Citing the lapse of officials concerned, kattipalla said that the consumption of expired energy food may create health hazards in children.
Further, he pointed out that the district administration does not conduct monthly meetings on food security which is mandatory.
Meanwhile, the pathetic condition of a godown of Women and Child Welfare Department at Ashok Nagar in the city was also brought to light by a surprise visit by the DYFI members along with journalists.
Officials blame subordinates
Prabhakar Sharma responding to Katipalla’s complaint directed the Deputy Director of Women and Child Welfare Department Shakunthala and the Deputy Director of Food and Civil Supplies Department to conduct inquiry and submit a report.
After visiting the CDPO at Valencia in the city, which supplied energy food to Anganagundi Anganawadi, Shakunthala told mediapersons that the problem might have occurred due to the lapse by the supervisor concerned or the Anganwadi worker. She said that she would submit a report to Sharma after verifying the stock of energy food sachets in all taluks in the district.
The energy food, which contains flour of roasted wheat, maize, blackgram dhal, toasted edible groundnut, soya, powder jaggery, vitamins and minerals, were being supplied freely under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) of the government through Child Development Project Offices (CDPO). Sachets were distributed to children between 3-6 years, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers through Anganwadis.