VALPOI
It is learnt that Bhumika SHG submitted a compliance report to FDA on September 11 and authorities have informed them that they would send officials for a site inspection. "Three days have passed and no official has visited the SHG till now. There is also no intimation to the SHG to resume supply of mid-day meals to the 9 schools," said a source.
When contacted, Bhumika SHG President Jayshree Mandrekar said all objections raised during the surprise visit have been complied as per the FDA guidelines. "The kitchen has been furnished with a new look, an exhaust fan has been installed and the license copy is displayed near the kitchen," said Mandrekar.
"Copies of the changes made along with the compliance report have been submitted to the FDA, but so far, there is
no information regarding inspection of our kitchen. The FDA authorities have assured us that officials would inspect the premises as early as possible," she said.
"We were supplying mid-day meals without any complaints from parents, teachers and students. We have been strict about hygiene in the kitchen, but the FDA officials conducted a surprise visit and raised objections. Now, why is there a delay in the inspection," asked Mandrekar.
"We are optimistic about the permission from FDA to resume our business at the earliest, because many women are involved
in this business and all are struggling for their livelihood," she added.
Different yardstick adopted by education department?
VALPOI: While education authorities acted on oral instructions from the FDA to stop Bhumika SHG from supplying mid-day meals, the decision to wait for an FDA report before allowing the self-help group to resume the meals has raised eyebrows in Dhave-Sattari.
Officials at the Valpoi education department told The Goan that they are waiting for instructions from the education department to permit Bhumika SHG to resume mid-day meals to nine schools in Sattari.
"So far, we have not received any intimation from our higher-ups to direct the SHG to supply the mid-day meals. We have made alternate arrangements with another self-help group to supply meals to the nine schools," the official said.
Asked if they had any written directives to stop Bhumika SHG from supplying mid-day meals to nine schools following an inspection by the FDA, the official replied: "There was verbal intimation from education authorities."
To a query on the need for a written directive to allow the Bhumika SHG to resume the meals when only an oral intimation had been enough to stop their activity, the official was unable to clarify the situation. According to reliable sources, it is learnt that the education department is waiting for a written report from the FDA to take further action in the matter. Despite efforts, FDA Director Salim Velji could not be contacted for comments in the matter.
