Chief Secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra has directed all the Collectors to ensure implementation of hygienic norms in food items supplied through supplementary nutrition programme (SNP). The Collectors have also been asked to expedite construction of Anganwadi Centre (AWC) buildings and complete them in time for sourcing further funds.
State Women and Child Development department Secretary Arti Ahuja attending a video conference at the Secretariat here appraised the Collectors about revised guidelines for supply of supplementary nutrition for children in AWCs, for children of six months to three years, severely malnourished children from six months to three years and for pregnant and lactating mothers. Ahuja also said the Collectors about safety measures to be followed in local procurement of food items, their storage and testing the quality of cooked meal before they are served to children.
During the discussion, the department officials said that money has been sanctioned for construction of 12,000 AWCs in different ICDS areas across the State out of which 8,000 are under grants of the 13th Finance Commission and 4,000 AWCs would be built from State’s own fund. The revised and comprehensive guidelines for SNP and food safety in AWCs have already been sent to all the Collectors and CDPOs. As per the revised guidelines, the children in AWCs will be given egg curry thrice in a week on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Similarly, the normal children from six months to three years will be served two boiled eggs at the AWCs on Wednesday and Saturday of the week. Severely malnourished children from six months to three years will get two boiled eggs one each on Wednesday and Saturday along with one packet of Rasi ladoo of 100 gm weight per month. Pregnant and lactating mothers will be given two boiled eggs to be consumed one each on Wednesday and Saturday.
It has been made clear to all the Collectors and CDPOs that the cook or helper and one school management committee (SMC) member will eat the cooked food at least half an hour before it is served to children at an AWC. Ahuja has made it clear that the officer lifting the rice and wheat from godown must satisfy himself that it is of good quality. The transport agents will be delivered the rice at each AWC point for one month and the quantity and quality of rice will be verified by a committee and mothers committee members at the time of delivery of goods at the AWC point. The Collectors have been asked to look into the matters personally through strict and regular monitoring for ensuring food safety and quality in interest of small children and mothers.