Karnataka State Anganwadi Workers’ Union (CITU) president S. Varalakshmi has alleged irregularities in purchasing nutrient foods for anganwadi centres in Kolar district.
“Deputy Director of Department of Women and Child Welfare A. Shakunthala has flouted all the norms and directives in this connection, causing loss of crores of rupees to the exchequer,” Ms. Varalakshmi told reporters here on Saturday.
Though there are clear instructions to purchase food materials from government agencies such as Karnataka Oil Federation, Food Corporation of India and Agriculture Produce Marketing Societies (APMC), the department has been procuring them from open market and private agencies, she alleged.
Ms. Varalakshmi demanded a thorough investigation into the scandal. The loss incurred due to alleged irregularities should be recovered from Ms. Shakunthala, she urged.
CITU District unit PGandhinagar Narayanaswamy charged district in-charge Minister U.T. Khader with shielding the “corrupt officer”.