Sangrur/Dhuri, August 25:- Punjab State Food Commission Member Jasvir Singh Sekhon made a surprise visit to Sangrur district and inspected various government schools, Anganwadi centers and ration depots. During this, he reviewed the quality of mid-day meal, availability and storage of ration, drinking water, cleanliness and facilities being provided to the beneficiaries.
At the Government Primary Smart School in village Jahangir, the preparation, quality and storage of mid-day meal were found satisfactory. Despite the presence of RO water filter facility in the school, the quality of drinking water was not found satisfactory. The infrastructure of the three Anganwadi centers running in the same school was found to be adequate, but shortcomings were revealed regarding absenteeism of children, lack of proper maintenance of attendance registers and unavailability of ration for children and beneficiaries.
The quality of mid-day meal and storage of ration at Government Senior Secondary School, Jahangir-Kaheru was found satisfactory, but the quality of drinking water was not satisfactory. In this regard, the member instructed the concerned officers to ensure clean and safe drinking water for the children at all times.
During the inspection of Government Senior Secondary Smart School, village Dhuri, the condition of the kitchen was found unsafe and the quality of drinking water was not satisfactory. Member Jasvir Singh Sekhon instructed the concerned officers to immediately install R.O. Water filter in the school, make necessary improvements in the kitchen and ensure cleanliness around the kitchen. The condition of mid-day meal and ration at Government Primary Smart School, Dhuri was found satisfactory.
At Government Senior Secondary School, Dhadhogal Kheri, the cleanliness and condition of the kitchen was not found satisfactory, while the quality of mid-day meal was found to be good. In this regard, S. Sekhon instructed the concerned officers to pay special attention to the cleanliness and hygiene of the kitchen.
Apart from this, the ration depot of village EC was also inspected. The depot holder informed that wheat has been distributed to the beneficiaries. However, during the inspection, information regarding ration distribution and the helpline number of the Punjab State Food Commission were not found displayed at the depot. The member instructed to display awareness banners regarding ration distribution and the helpline number of the Punjab State Food Commission as soon as possible to create awareness among the beneficiaries.
On this occasion, Jasvir Singh Sekhon clearly instructed the concerned officers that food grains and other entitled benefits should be provided to the eligible beneficiaries in a timely, fair and transparent manner and no eligible beneficiary should be deprived of his rights. He said that it is the main responsibility of the concerned departments to ensure a clean environment, safe drinking water and availability of quality ration for children in schools and Anganwadi centers. He said that the shortcomings revealed during the inspection should be immediately removed and the beneficiaries should be provided with their rights and government facilities in a transparent manner.