Seethakka Directs Uninterrupted Milk To Anganwadis

Telangana Women and Child Welfare Minister Seethakka today issued strict directives to ensure uninterrupted milk supply to Anganwadi centres, particularly in remote areas.

Chairing a review meeting on the Aarogya Lakshmi scheme at the Secretariat, the minister said that achieving a "nutritious Telangana" through the efficient implementation of welfare programs was important.

Under the Aarogya Lakshmi scheme, the government aims to provide nutrition to pregnant women and lactating mothers by distributing 200 ml of milk daily through the Anganwadi centres. The supply rate of the milk, supplied in Tetra Paks by the government's Vijaya Dairy, has reached 94% since December, with 1.56 crore litres delivered out of the 1.67 crore litres ordered. However, Seethakka expressed dissatisfaction with delays in timely delivery to certain centres. "Can Vijaya Dairy supply the required amount of milk to Anganwadi centres or not? If not, should we reduce the order and procure from other sources?" she asked.

"Vijaya Dairy sources milk from farmers, and we prioritize their welfare while ensuring the health of mothers and children. However, the government will take stringent action if milk supply issues are not resolved within three months," she added.

Seethakka personally inspected the quality of the milk supplied and expressed satisfaction, but rejected Vijaya Dairy's proposal to increase the price of the Tetra Paks, which are currently sold at Rs 57 per litre. "We will review the price revision after three months, provided there are no supply gaps," she said.

Women and Child Welfare Department Secretary Anitha Ramachandran, Director Kanthi Wesley and other senior officials attended the meeting.