Shillong, December 12:A news item with the heading ‘substandard, unhealthy food supplied under SNP’ in one of the English daily newspaper ha draw attention of Government. The Department of Social Welfare has taken serious note of the allegations and is taking appropriate steps. It may be noted that the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) is a flagship programmed of Government and is being implemented in the State in keeping with the guidelines of the scheme laid down by the Government of India and orders of the Supreme Court of India.
To ensure that the quality of food items supplied under SNP meet the required standards, samples are sent by the Department for nutrient analysis at regular intervals to the food & Nutrition Board Laboratory based at Kolkata, approved by Government. So far the reports of the analysis have not indicated that the food supplied under SNP are substandard or unhealthy.
The Department of Social Welfare, on the guidelines and directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, has procured choco malt and milk powder directly from the manufacturer-M/S Continental Milkose (India) Ltd. as this would be no violation of the order of the Supreme Court. These food items are not readily available in the open market and can only be obtained from manufacturers.
The Department introduced fortified food items such as milk powder, malted milk food, biscuits and ready-to-eat noodles as non-conventional food items distributed under the Supplementary Nutrition programme on the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India by engaging Self Help Groups throughout the State for greater participation by the Village Communities on buying of grains and preparation of meals.
The Department of Social Welfare has taken steps of discontinuance of supplying and distributing of ready-to-eat noodles and Kishlay Biscuits at the Aganawadi Centres. The Nutrients level have been increased in quantity by conventional food items to safeguard the health standards of Women & Children in the programme and the SNP Committee was constituted to recommend and monitor on the diet menu for maintaining quality of the foodstuff supplied and served in the ICDS Centres. The Department has taken serious note of the allegations that have appeared in the Newspapers and shall initiate steps to conduct nutrient analysis test in reputed Laboratories to confirm the veracity of the allegations.(SP News)
