Jajpur: The state government’s plan to improve the health and nutritional status of children under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) has gone haywire in Jajpur district as worms were found in the suji halwa premix packets meant for distribution to the children. The halwa premix packets are meant for children aged six months to three years. It has been over 10 years since the scheme was launched.
However, the discovery of worms has raised serious question marks on the implementation of the scheme. The irregularity came to light after a woman alleged in a video that worms were found in the halwa premix packets produced by a women’s federation at Alipur village under Bari block in Jajpur district within one month of manufacturing. It is alleged that distribution of sub-standard sattu and halwa to the beneficiaries for the last 10 years has posed serious threat to the health of hundreds of children. A 1.5kg packet of suji halwa premix is prepared by mixing 760g of suji, 260g gram flour, 400g sugar and 80g oil. It is advised to prepare the halwa by emptying the required quantity of premix in boiled water or milk. Moreover, there is no need to add additional oil or sugar in the halwa. Children are advised to consume 60g of the halwa per day. However, when consumed, the halwa was found lacking in taste due to the absence of sugar, gram flour and oil.
As a result, children are unwilling to consume the halwa. Residents said dal supplied to the beneficiaries earlier was proper while sattu and halwa have excess wheat and suji. Left with no option, children from poor households are consuming the halwa but they have failed to get any nutrition from the food. Locals alleged that agencies are producing sub-standard food and siphoning off lakhs from government funds on the pretext of supplying nutritious food to the children. They further alleged that such irregularities are rampant because officials are not conducting field visits. They do not take action and remain silent in exchange of kickbacks. Earlier, the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) found the distribution of sub-standard sattu apart from other irregularities during a visit to the Anganwadi centres at Kundal and Danda Haripur village under Barchana Sishu Vikash Prakalpa in Jajpur district, November 1, 2019.
Later, the DSWO issued a show-cause notice to the office bearers of the manufacturing firm. However, no action was taken against the agency as some influential persons intervened in the matter. Since then, no exemplary action has been taken against any agency on charge of manufacturing sub-standard sattu and halwa premix. When contacted, DSWO Sabita Chyau Patnaik said she is yet to receive any complaint in this regard. She assured to conduct a probe into the sub-standard halwa premix as alleged in the video and take action against the persons responsible.
Notably, ICDS aims at providing proper psychological, physical and social development of the child and in reducing the incidence of mortality, morbidity and malnutrition among the children. Malnourished children become weak and suffer from anaemia and other diseases. Their limbs become lean, many get a bloated stomach and the heads of some of the children grow larger than their bodies. The scheme aims to provide them with nutritious food and save them from malnutrition. However, allegations of sub-standard food distribution have come frequently to the fore putting question marks on the scheme’s implementation and success.