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Health programmes: Kids in Maharashtra fed questionable supplements

How serious is the state about implementation of central government’s health programmes such as the Integrated Child Development Scheme?

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How serious is the state about implementation of central government’s health programmes such as the Integrated Child Development Scheme?

If the government’s own documents are to be believed, Ayurvedic medicines worth crores with no specific information about nutritional supplements were provided to Anganwadi students between the ages of three and six.

Society for Awareness of Civil Rights has now complained about the scam brewing in the purchase to the ministry of women and child welfare.

In a letter written to Varsha Gaikwad, minister for women and child welfare, RP Yajurvedi Rao, NGO chairman, said that two Ayurvedic preparations — Herbosol syrup and Nutrisyd candy — were bought by paying Rs17.44 crore during the year 2010-11.

“Right to Information (RTI) documents show that these preparations do not specify the percentage of various components (such as vitamins, minerals, proteins), and their methods of evaluation, both qualitative and quantitative, which are supposed to assure the target subjects of delivery of quantified supplement to mitigate the deficient child, seem to be inconclusive,” Rao told DNA. He asserted that in the absence of the mention of the components, the products should never have been purchased.

The documents — copies of which are with DNA — show as many as 14,67,539 syrup bottles bought for Rs6.16 crore, while 29,85,144 candy units bought for Rs17.44 crore.

Gaikwad and Vandana Krishna (secretary, women and child development ministry), remained unavailable for comment despite attempts.

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