Shatabhgarh anganwadi found shut in working hours during surprise visit

A Punjab State Food Commission member, Vijay Dutt, conducted a surprise inspection in various government schools and anganwadi centres of Dera Bassi block to evaluate the implementation of beneficial schemes under the National Food Security Act.

During the visit, Dutt inspected the government senior secondary school, primary school and elementary school, along with the anganwadi centre in the Shatabgarh village. It was observed that the centre in Shatabhgarh was locked during working hours. Furthermore, many schools had not displayed the commission’s grievance complaint number, which was mandatory.

Dutt issued a notice to the District Grievance Redressal Officer, directing swift corrective actions. He said the anganwadi centre in Shatabhgarh was found to be operated according to individual discretion rather than a set schedule, which was unacceptable.

Dutt also addressed the schools’ adherence to food safety and hygiene standards, instructing the schools to maintain a ‘mid-day meal food taste register’ and ensure that clean food was provided to students. He personally interacted with the children, tasting the mid-day meal to check its quality.

Dutt directed the authorities concerned to periodically check the total dissolved solids (TDS) and quality of drinking water in the schools and conduct regular health checkups for students and mid-day meal workers.

Dutt emphasised the importance of installing the Punjab State Food Commission’s helpline number (9876764545) at all government schools and anganwadis in the district. He said any beneficiary with complaints regarding the National Food Security Act schemes could register their concerns through this helpline.