Bringing into focus the lack of checks and balances in the Supplementary Nutrition programme under the government's flagship ICDS scheme, a CAG audit has said that substandard food was being distributed by Anganwadi centres in at least three states.
The Supplementary Nutrition programme implemented by the Union Women and Child Development (WCD) ministry aims to combat the problem of malnutrition in the country by providing dietary supplements to children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
In its 22nd report of 2012-13, which was tabled in Parliament earlier in the week, the CAG has said that distribution of sub standard food by the Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) had been found in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Haryana.
The audit report said that a social audit conducted by the Council for Social Development, New Delhi at 154 AWCs of Anantapur District in Andhra Pradesh had found that during September-November 2008 the 'ready to cook mixes' were "unpalatable".
The auditor also claimed that on physical inspection it was found that some of the items had sticky texture which became inedible within minutes after preparation.
"In 18 test-checked AWCs children were reported to have fallen ill after consuming it. The supplier M/s A P Foods continued to supply these mixes till November 2011, despite reports about the beneficiaries disliking the food in two test-checked Projects," the CAG report said.
The auditor pointed that A P foods is a government of Andhra Pradesh enterprise. It added that there was no system of watching expiry of food items.
The CAG report in its evaluation of the Supplementary Nutrition programme in Gujarat said that instances of supply of flour after expiry of shelf life were noticed.
