Anantnag, Oct 26 (KNS): Residents of South Kashmir's Anantnag district have expressed their anger with the ICDS department, J&K, for allegedly Procuring nutrition items at inflated /Exhorbitant Rates in All projects of District Anantnag.
According to Reports, all eight(08) ICDS projects in the district, including Larkipora, Shangus, Khoveripora, Breng, Achabal, Bijbehara, Anantnag and Qazigund have been supplied with "classic millet chikki" at exorbitant prices, significantly higher than the local market rates.
This has caused widespread discontent among parents and locals, who suspect financial irregularities in the procurement process and seems nexus between officials of programme office Anantnag, Child Development Project Officers and officials of Directorate Kashmir .
It is further alleged that the Directorate of ICDS directly managed the supply of these items, bypassing established guidelines that mandate ICDS projects to procure nutrition from local vendors.
Insiders from the department revealed that some Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) raised concerns over the inflated prices but were pressured to remain silent.
Residents have also expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the "classic millet chikki,"supplied by a Supplier Reporting that many children found it unpalatable.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelParents too have raised alarm over the issue, fearing similar problems may be occurring in other ICDS projects of South kashmir Or across the Kashmir Province .
When contacted by KNS, several CDPOs confirmed that they had brought the issue to the attention of higher authorities but received no response.
The residents of Anantnag are now calling for a high-level investigation into the matter to uncover the truth behind the procurement and ensure accountability and want Stern Action against the culprits involved.
It is Pertinent to mention here that in different zones of Qazigund, Breng, Anantnag, Achabal, Khoveripora, Bijebhera, Larkipora And shangus the procurement has been made in Lakhs soon after the placement of orders by child Development project officers.
When KNS contacted the Directorate of ICDS Kashmir, Kishori Lal Sharma assured that he would examine the matter and take appropriate action against those involved in this activity.According to latest Reports Received Director ICDS has initiated high level Enquiry (KNS)