Inquiry ordered into midday meal quality

Ongole: AP Food Commission Chairman Chintha Vijay Pratap Reddy conducted surprise inspections at Anganwadi centres, schools, fair price shops, and welfare hostels in Marripudi mandal on Tuesday, and directed officials to ensure quality food supply to children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

During his visit to the High School in Kuchipudi, parents complained that the mid-day meals were not of good quality. Vijay Pratap Reddy spoke directly to the students, who also confirmed that the food was not good. He immediately spoke to the Marripudi mandal tahsildar over the phone and ordered an inquiry through a three-member committee. He directed officials to remove the existing cooking staff and appoint new staff.

He also inspected the Zilla Parishad High School in Garlapeta, fair price shops at Garlapeta and Kuchipudi, and the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) at Ravellavaripelam. He instructed officials to regularly check e-POS machines, electronic weighing scales, ration rice quality, and biometric records at fair price shops. He said that the state government spends crores of rupees for the welfare of poor students and warned that irregularities will not be tolerated. He gave Rs 2000 to an Anganwadi teacher in Vemavaram to purchase an induction stove and table. He also gave Rs 2000 to a student who scored 577 marks in Class 10 at the KGBV.

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