Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (SM)

Udupi, Aug 24: The Koraga Abhivriddhi Sangagala Okkuta staged a protest at the DC office demanding quality nutritious food items under ‘Mulanivasi Yojane’.

The government had introduced the programme to overcome the malnutrition problem among the Koraga community who are deemed as original inhabitants. Nearly 80 percent of the people in the community suffer from malnutrition which has turned out to be the major cause for the  decreasing number of the populace of the community.

A family of five gets one food package which consists of two kilogrammes each of ‘Ragi’, jaggery, green ‘dal’, and one kilogram of gram dal and toor dal each. In addition to this, 30 eggs and one liter of palm oil is also provided. Families with more than five members will receive two food packages.  The food packages are given through ‘Anganvadis’.

The food grains and other groceries offered are of very low quality and old stock. An appeal was made to the DC and ITDP officials over the low quality of groceries was provided but no action was taken.

They demanded that the tender issued to the individual or company should be immediately cancelled and a fresh tender called for. They also urged that a committee be initiated to keep a check on the food materials supplied under the leadership of the DC. In addition, they demanded that all grocery items be supplied in a single package every month on time.

A memorandum was forwarded to DC Dr M T Reju.