Row Erupts Over Substandard Anganwadi Food Supply In Pune's Ambegaon
A video posted by an anganwadi worker in Ambegaon in Pune district alleging that substandard foodgrains caused stomach pain in children has triggered a major political row in Maharashtra, leading both ruling and opposition leaders to demand accountability from food supply officials.
The worker, Reshma Pardhi from Ambegaon, posted a video on social media stating that yellow peas supplied for the children's mid-day meals failed to cook even after extensive pressure cooking. She stated that children suffered stomach aches after consuming the food and subsequently refused to eat it. Pardhi also noted that other coarsely ground grains supplied to the anganwadi were equally difficult to cook, questioning how a four-month stock could be stored under such conditions.
In her video appeal, Pardhi urged Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe to intervene and inspect the food supply, requesting the government not to compromise children's health.
Reacting to the video, ruling NCP MLA Dilip Walse Patil, who represents the Ambegaon assembly constituency, acknowledged that foodgrain quality complaints are not confined to Ambegaon and have emerged across the state. He noted that procurement takes place at the commissioner or state level and pledged to raise the issue with the concerned department's secretary and minister.
Walse Patil stated that the contractor and officials responsible for checking food quality must be held accountable and face strict action if an official complaint was ignored.
Opposition leaders strongly criticised the administration following reports that action had been initiated against Pardhi. NCP (SP) Lok Sabha member Amol Kolhe, who represents the Shirur constituency that includes Ambegaon, termed the disciplinary action unfortunate and demanded a state-level inquiry into food supplied to schools and anganwadis, citing a separate recent case in Junnar taluka where turmeric and chilli powder used in mid-day meals were found to be adulterated.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar also condemned the state government for issuing a suspension notice to Pardhi instead of penalising the suppliers, demanding the immediate revocation of her suspension and a full investigation into food suppliers within ten days.
