Raids expose inferior mid-day meals

Visakhapatnam: Various discrepancies in the implementation of the

mid-day meal

scheme were detected by

vigilance

and enforcement department officials in Srikakulam and

Vizianagaram

divisions in four schools at Kothavalasa and Bhogapuram mandals in Vizianagaram district on Tuesday.

The schools raided by vigilance officials were Zilla Parishad High School, Kothavalasa, Mandal Parishad Primary School, Ardhanapalem, Mandal Parishad Primary School, Old Ardhanapalem and Mandal Parishad School, Savarapalle.

In all the schools the number of students on the register exceeded the actual number present. A thorough check of the physical stock register also showed that pulses and eggs were in excess as against the requirement. Officials also observed poor sanitation in the kitchen and the children being fed in the open courtyard with unsafe water used in the preparation of food.

Officials also carried out surprise raids at the three Anganwadi centres under the two mandals in the district and observed incongruities in the implementation of providing nutritious food to children and pregnant women. The raids have revealed that the Anganwadi centres were not properly monitored by

ICDS

officials and poor sanitation at the centres has been spreading diseases to children and others.