CH NEWS, KOPPAL
Karnataka State Food Commission Chairman Dr H Krishna and member Maruthi M Doddalingannavar conducted surprise inspections in Koppal district to review food distribution systems and welfare services in Anganwadi centres and government hospitals.
He first visited the Anganwadi centre in Gandhinagar ward of Koppal city and inspected the food storage room records attendance registers and supply details. Officials were asked whether children pregnant women and lactating mothers were receiving food according to the prescribed menu. The Commission checked egg purchase bills beneficiary records and financial transactions maintained at the centre for nearly two hours. Members expressed dissatisfaction after finding incomplete records mismatched addresses and poor accounting of funds drawn for nutrition programmes.
Later the Commission visited Koppal Institute of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital and interacted with patients in the emergency ward regarding food quality and services. The members asked patients whether bananas eggs and meals were supplied regularly and inspected the kitchen food storage rooms cooking utensils and tender documents related to rice purchases. During a review meeting Dr Krishna directed hospital authorities to take action against the nursing superintendent and replace the present contractor because patients were receiving poor quality food.
Speaking later at a meeting in the District Collectorate office Dr Krishna urged government officers to work with compassion and show greater concern for poor families. He said the National Food Security Act clearly states that nobody should suffer from hunger and every deserving person must receive benefits on time. He added that many poor families continue struggling throughout their lives and officials should sincerely help them access food healthcare and welfare schemes without delay. The Chairman also directed departments to correct the shortcomings identified during the inspections and submit detailed reports to the District Collector within one month. District Collector Dr Suresha B Itnala Commission members and senior officers from health women and child welfare and hospital departments attended the meeting.
