YSRCP Alleges Irregularities in Nutrition Schemes, Seeks Action Against Contractors

The YSRCP on Sunday alleged large-scale irregularities in nutrition programmes being implemented by the TDP-led coalition government in Andhra Pradesh for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Addressing the media at the party’s central office in Tadepalli, YSRCP state spokesperson Putta Sivashankar Reddy alleged that substandard eggs and nutrition products were being supplied to Anganwadi centres, while raising questions over the procurement of Balasanjeevani kits and Balamrutham nutritional powder.

He said eggs supplied through Anganwadi centres were required to weigh between 50 and 70 grams under tender conditions. However, he alleged that politically connected syndicates were supplying smaller eggs weighing around 30 to 40 grams after procuring them at lower prices from poultry farms outside the state.

According to Sivashankar Reddy, suppliers were also charging prices higher than those fixed by the National Egg Coordination Committee and allegedly adding Rs 1 to Rs 1.10 per egg as transportation charges.

He claimed that eggs weighing more than 35 grams were reportedly difficult to find in several districts, including West Godavari, Sri Sathya Sai, Kadapa, Nellore, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam. He further alleged that officials were not conducting proper weight checks or regularly sending egg samples to Agmark laboratories for quality testing.

The YSRCP spokesperson also alleged irregularities in the procurement of Balasanjeevani kits, claiming that their price was increased from Rs 271 to Rs 446, resulting in alleged losses of nearly Rs 40 crore. He further claimed that the same four companies received contracts to supply 38 categories of items to Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas.

On Balamrutham nutritional powder, Sivashankar Reddy alleged a Rs 1,200-crore scam, claiming that tender conditions were altered to benefit firms without adequate experience in the sector, including businesses dealing in jaggery and related products.

The YSRCP demanded immediate cancellation of the Balamrutham tenders and called for contractors supplying eggs below the prescribed weight to be removed, booked and blacklisted.

Sivashankar Reddy urged the government to ensure that nutrition programmes do not compromise the health of 13.80 lakh children and 23 lakh mothers across the state.