Tons of milk powder provided under Ksheera Bhagya scheme diverted to black market in Hanagal

HAVERI: About 7,000-8,000 kg of milk powder, supplied under the Ksheera Bhagya scheme to provide milk to anganwadi children under the middday meal scheme, has allegedly been diverted elsewhere in the district by officials of the Child Development Project Office (CDPO). It is alleged that milk powder worth Rs 1 crore has been sold in the black market.

The Ksheera Bhagya scheme was introduced to increase nutrition among children by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during his first term. The diversion of the milk powder is said to have taken place in Hanagal taluk with fingers being pointed at the child development officer himself.

As per the MSPC records, 58,815 kg of milk powder was in stock, but it has been found that the actual stock is about 7,000-8,000 less and social activist Manjunath Karjagi has lodged a complaint in this regard. Afer a probe by the district coordinator, it was found that the available stocks were in fact less.

Karjagi alleged that about Rs 1 crore worth of milk powder was diverted to the black market. He has demanded legal action against the Hanagal CDPO Nandakumar and the MSPC staff for indulging in blackmarketing.

Women and Child Welfare Deputy Director Srinivas Aladarti said the stocks were diverted at the time of distribution of the milk powder to anganwadi centres in Hanagal taluk. Records show discrepancies and prima facie, there seems to be diversion of milk powder supplied under the Ksheera Bhagya scheme, he added.