Published On : Wed, Jan 2nd, 2019

Finally, FDA to initiate search action against Akshaya Patra over mid day meals

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Nagpur: In the midst of question marks being raised on food served in mid day meal provided by the Akshaya Patra Foundation, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) is readying itself to act in the matter.

According to FDA’s Assistant Commissioner Milind Deshpande, he has received complaints regarding irregularities pertaining to the Akshaya Patra through communications media. Based on the complaints, FDA would initiate a search action on organisation’s kitchen and distribution system.

Deshpande said that the action will be taken within a day or two. “FDA carries search from time to time. The Department is fully aware of the systems of Akshya Patra. FDA has not received any complaints against the organisation before this controversy. If a written complaint is received by FDA, cognisance will certainly be taken of it,” the Assistant Commissioner asserted.

It may be recalled that an NGO RTE Action Committee headed by Shahid Sharif had raised objections over the working style of the Akshaya Patra. Sharif had levelled serious accusations against the renowned organisation that runs school lunch programme across India.

Akshaya Patra provides mid day meals to thousands of students in hundreds of schools in city as well. According to Sharif, the organisation was given responsibility of providing mid day meals in 350 schools of the city without tender process. But this organisation is violating laid down norms of mid day meal scheme. “Akshaya Patra has no agreement with government. The system is being run only with the agreement with schools,” Sharif charged.