Sambalpur: Low-Quality Chhatua in Nutritious Food Distribution; Action Ordered Against Five SHGs in Sambalpur District
Sambalpur: In a recent directive, authorities have ordered action against five self-help groups (SHGs) in the Sambalpur district accused of distributing low-quality chhatua (a nutritious food powder). Certain SHGs were involved in supplying chhatua under a state-run scheme designed to provide nutritious food to mothers and children.
The implicated SHGs include Shakti-1 and Maa Mangala SHGs in Maneswar block, Maa Ghanteswari and Maa Bhairavi SHGs in Jamankira block, and Maa Singhabahini SHGs in Naktideul block. They were supplying chhatua for the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) led by the Department of Women and Child Development.
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Complaints and Testing of Chhatua Quality
Complaints about poor-quality chhatua surfaced across the state. In response, the government initiated quality testing. Between April 2023 and June 2024, officials collected samples of chhatua supplied by certain SHGs for testing. The state laboratory examined these samples to assess their quality. Results showed that 11 out of 30 districts had high-quality chhatua, while some SHGs in 19 other districts supplied low-quality products.
Repeated Quality Issues and Multiple Testing
In some cases, certain SHGs collected samples multiple times, and each sample consistently proved to be of low quality. This persistent failure led the government to take strict action.
Action Ordered by the Department
In October, the Department of Women and Child Development issued a letter to all district collectors, referencing letter number 23/147, instructing them to take action against SHGs supplying substandard chhatua in their regions. This order highlights the government’s commitment to ensuring nutritious food reaches mothers and children under the SNP scheme.
