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OMG! Bala Amrutham being sold as fodder
It is supposedly a life-giver for toddlers, particularly to the children coming from economically deprived sections. In what comes as a shameful and sordid reality, that puts to shame even the multi-crore fodder scam of Lalu Prasad Yadav is that this crime is being perpetrated by workers associated with Anganwadis across the state.
Hyderabad: It is supposedly a life-giver for toddlers, particularly to the children coming from economically deprived sections. In what comes as a shameful and sordid reality, that puts to shame even the multi-crore fodder scam of Lalu Prasad Yadav is that this crime is being perpetrated by workers associated with Anganwadis across the state.
Hundreds and thousands of Bala Amrutham (nectar for children) supplied to Anganwadis are siphoned off by the staff of the centres and sold to farmers for use as fodder.
This bizarre happening came to light when an alert Bandlaguda police found 140 bags (each containing 20kg and is valued at Rs 916) of Bala Amrutham in fairy farms. Soon after seizing them, and on a thorough probe into the illegal possession, the cops found that although every centre was supplied their share of needs, the staff invariably complained about shortage.
For the records, the city has 912 Anganwadi centres, which cater to 50-60 kids. The six-month to three-year-old kids are given cereals and iron-rich Bala Amrutham so that they could stay healthy.
As per mandated procedures, each child is to be given 100gms of the ‘food’ every day. A packet normally lasts for 25 days, which is when new stock is given to the parents, according to Hyderabad District Welfare for Women, Children, Disabled and Senior Citizen officer GK Sunanda.
Getting down to action rather swiftly, the investigating officers caught quite few of the nefarious elements using the ‘fodder; that they were buying during clandestine operations. In fact, the street-smart Anganwadi staff jack up the price and sell each packer for a Rs300 to Rs 500.
The staff manning centres at Vattipally and Fatimanagar were found guilty of this fraud. Around 122 packets with the powder were seized in addition to several that were due for expiry next month.
Taking serious note of the happenings, Sunanda averred that all those found guilty of this heinous crime would be brought to book and penalised so that this could serve as effective deterrent.
By Sravanthi Sanam
