Minister Seethakka warna to blacklist substandard Anganwadi suppliers

HYDERABAD: Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka) conducted a surprise inspection of the Telangana Foods Corporation’s processing units located in the Nacharam Industrial Area on Thursday. These units produce ‘Balamrutham,’ a nutritional supplement comprising wheat, chana dal, milk powder, oil, and sugar, which is distributed to Anganwadi centers across the state.

During her visit, Minister Seethakka expressed her dissatisfaction with the unhygienic conditions within the facilities. She noted that such lapses in hygiene could severely impact the quality of nutrition provided to infants and pregnant women relying on these services. Reiterating the government’s commitment to maintaining high standards, she stated that suppliers failing to meet the required quality benchmarks would face blacklisting.

The Minister directed officials to ensure that all workers adhere to strict hygiene protocols, including the mandatory use of gloves during food handling and processing. She also called for comprehensive laboratory testing of the food products to verify their quality and safety before distribution to Anganwadi centers.

In addition to addressing hygiene concerns, Minister Seethakka expressed frustration over delays in repairing a snacks production unit that had been non-operational for over a month. She instructed the responsible parties to expedite the necessary repairs to resume operations promptly. Furthermore, she inspected an under-construction unit and urged officials to accelerate its completion, questioning the decade-long delay in its development.

Minister Seethakka has mandated a detailed report from the officials, outlining the current challenges, budgetary requirements, and a clear action plan to rectify the identified issues. This initiative aligns with the Telangana government’s broader objective to enhance the quality and transparency of nutrition services provided through Anganwadi centers, ensuring the well-being of beneficiaries.

The Minister’s proactive measures reflect a zero-tolerance policy towards negligence in services affecting vulnerable populations, particularly children and pregnant women dependent on government-supported nutrition programs.