Nayagarh, June 30: If we go by the allegations that are making rounds, sattu that is supplied for pregnant women and children is not different.
As per guidelines, the types of sattu for pregnant women and children are not to be identical as the ingredients that go into their preparation are different. Though the looks and labels on the packets distributed among women and children are different, the quality of the sattu inside them is said to be the same. Obviously, this is being done with an eye on profit.
Locals alleged that though some self help groups (SHGs) are given the responsibility of manufacturing this staple diet, some mill owners are producing it.
As per the guidelines, wheat, chickpeas, groundnuts, sugar, etc should go into sattu preparation. But the sattu supplied to the Anganwadi centres is alleged to be of low quality, made from wheat, rice and small amount of chickpeas.
The government is providing Rs 36 each for manufacturing a kilo of sattu. However, manufacturers are spending a very small amount of the money, while pocketing the rest.
Though several complaints have been lodged about the supply of low quality sattu time and again, the question being asked is whether any inspection is initiated; if initiated, what is the report.
Apart from quality, the stipulated time for supply has also not been maintained by the SHGs. While the rule says the food packets need to be supplied once in every 15 days, the Anganwadis are getting them once in every two to three months. Moreover, the supplied sattu is seen infested with bugs most of the time as it remains packaged for more than its normal shelf life.
As per the information available with District Social Welfare Office, applications were invited from interested SHGs to supply sattu in 2011-12. Many SHGs from eight blocks of the district applied for the same.
But 10 SHGs namely Trinath Dev SHG of Ragadimada and Vishwa Maaa Dholachandi of Badasahi in Bhapur block, Shikharpur Mahishasuni of Khandapara block; Jeevanduti of Baunsiapada in Nayagarh block; Maa Mangala of Masabari village in Odagaon block; Shiva Parbati of Jagannathprasad village in Nuagaon block; Ram Laxman of Kishoreprasad village in Gania block; Maa Prasala at Trinath Bazaar in Dasapalla block; Maa Maninag of Hatasahi and Brahmanidevi SHG of Bilagadia in Ranpur block were selected and asked to supply the food.
Later, the licences of two SHGs — Vishwa Maaa Dholachandi and Shiva Parbati — were cancelled. Now, eight SHGs have been supplying sattu in eight blocks for the last seven years.
Locals expressed concern as to why the question of low quality sattu has not been raised and discussed every year at the block level committee. Notably, a pregnant woman is given 5 kg of sattu a month from 5 months of gestation period till the child becomes 6-month-old. Similarly, a child starts to get 4 kg a month when it becomes six-month old, and it continues to get till it becomes three-year-old.
When contacted, District Welfare Officer Bhuleswar Kanhar refuted the allegation of low quality sattu being supplied by the SHGs. The SHGs are following the prescribed guidelines for sattu manufacturing, he said adding that investigation is carried out whenever any complaint is received.
PNN
