MUMBAI: A video posted by an anganwadi worker alleging that uncookable foodgrains caused stomach pain in children has triggered a row in Maharashtra, with ruling NCP MLA Dilip Walse Patil acknowledging that quality issues existed across the state while opposition leaders criticised the administration for allegedly taking action against the worker, news agency PTI reported.As per the PTI report, Walse Patil, while speaking to a regional news channel, said complaints over the quality of foodgrains were not confined to Ambegaon in Pune district and that similar concerns had emerged from other parts of Maharashtra.Walse Patil, who represents the Ambegaon assembly segment, was reacting to a video posted on social media by anganwadi worker Reshma Pardhi.In the video, Pardhi claimed that yellow peas supplied for children’s mid-day meal failed to cook even after extensive pressure cooking.She alleged that children suffered stomach ache after eating the food and subsequently refused to consume it.Pardhi also said other coarsely ground grains supplied to the anganwadi were equally difficult to cook and questioned the feasibility of storing and managing a four-month supply under such conditions.“I request the government not to play with our children,” Pardhi said in her appeal, urging Food and Drug Administration commissioner Tukaram Mundhe to intervene and inspect the food supply.According to PTI, Walse Patil said procurement of such foodgrains takes place at the commissioner or state level. He assured that he would raise the issue directly with the secretary and minister of the concerned department.If the anganwadi worker had filed an official complaint with her superiors and received no response, the officials responsible should be held accountable, he said.“The contractor concerned and the officials responsible for checking the quality should first be held accountable, and action should be taken against them,” Walse Patil said.He said efforts should be made to ensure that children across the state receive good-quality nutritional food and that those responsible for supplying substandard material face action.NCP (SP) Lok Sabha member Amol Kolhe, who represents the Shirur constituency that includes Ambegaon, condemned the administration’s response and termed the disciplinary action against Pardhi “extremely unfortunate.”“This is a classic case of letting the thief go free while punishing the innocent,” Kolhe said, arguing that the government should have commended the worker for exposing the flaw.Kolhe said the issue reflected a broader problem across Maharashtra and cited a recent incident in Junnar taluka where turmeric and chilli powder used in mid-day meals were found to be adulterated. He demanded a state-level inquiry into the quality of food supplied to anganwadis and schools.Meanwhile, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar took to social media to reprimand the state government for issuing a suspension notice to Pardhi instead of targeting the suppliers.“Instead of praising Reshma Pardhi for bringing this issue to light, the government has chosen to suspend her,” Pawar claimed in his post on X.Tagging chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Pawar asked why the government was allegedly trying to hide the issue instead of improving the system.The government should show the courage to take action against those who are dipping their hands into the plates of children in Anganwadis too, he said.“Is the message from this government through this action: “If you raise your voice against malpractices, we’ll take action against you”?” Pawar asked.“Our demand is that Reshma Pardhi’s suspension be immediately revoked and an inquiry into those providing substandard nutritional meals be conducted within the next ten days,” he said.(With agency inputs)
