Odisha Assembly Speaker orders action on substandard 'Chhatua' distribution

Bhubaneswar, Aug 31: The Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Surama Padhy, instructed Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Saturday to address issues related to the distribution of substandard ‘Chhatua’ at the block and gram panchayat levels.

The directive was issued following concerns raised by multiple MLAs about the quality of Chhatua being produced and distributed under the state's supplementary nutrition program.

In response to these concerns, Parida, who also manages the Women and Child Development portfolio, announced the creation of committees to monitor the Chhatua production process.

Earlier, MLAs Sanjali Murmu from Bangriposi and Sidhant Mohapatra from Digapahandi sought clarification from the Minister regarding the steps being taken to ensure the quality of Chhatua. Parida explained that a Self-Help Group (SHG) in each block is tasked with this work, and in blocks with a higher number of Anganwadis, the District Collector may appoint up to two SHGs to oversee the Chhatua production process.