Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 13: Continuing his efforts to ensure transparency in the functioning of ICDS Centres and making available quality nutrition to the children, Minister for Social Welfare, Bali Bhagat today conducted surprise check of ICDS stores in Zaldagar and Ganderbal blocks.
Finding some nutrition items without brand names and of inferior quality, the Minister ordered sealing of ICDS store in Zaldagar block till a committee of officers verifies the quality of these items. The samples of the nutrition items like sugar, biscuits, green mungi, salt and edible refined oil were also lifted by the team of Food Safety Organization, who accompanied the Minister.
Similarly, on the instructions of the Minister, samples of various nutrition items, medicines and other articles were lifted from the ICDS store in Ganderbal block to verify the quality of the same through proper lab testing.
Interacting with media persons after inspection of the stores, the Minister said that there will be no compromise on the quality of nutrition provided to the children and Government would ensure best food items in all the ICDS Centers across the State.
To ensure uniformity in procurement of quality nutrition items in all the Centers, a State Level Procurement Policy is under the active consideration of the Government and it would be implemented during the current financial year. Besides, the Government will also constitute two provincial level committees to oversee the quality of nutrition, medicines and other items supplied to the ICDS Centers.
Meanwhile, a 3-member committee of officers headed by Special Secretary, Social Welfare Department has been constituted by the Minister to verify the quality of nutrition items and also to establish whether these items are as per the supply orders in the sealed stores. The committee will submit its report within a week’s time.
In the meantime, the Minister directed attachment of CDPO, Zaldagar with immediate effect.
The team of Food Safety Organization has been directed to submit the testing report in shortest possible time.
Mission Director ICDS, Mukhtar-ul-Aziz also accompanied the Minister.
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