Punjab State Food Commission Member Jasvir Singh Sekhon today directed district officials to ensure the installation of RO systems in all schools and Anganwadi Centres across Sangrur district to provide clean and safe drinking water to children. He was chairing a meeting at the District Administrative Complex regarding the distribution of ration, implementation of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, supply of materials through Anganwadi Centres, and the storage system of food items.
During the meeting, Sekhon instructed that TDS levels of existing RO systems in all government schools and Anganwadi Centres be checked regularly and that all non-functional RO units be repaired or replaced immediately. He directed the District Food Safety Officer to ensure continuous checking of food and materials supplied under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and Anganwadi Centres, emphasizing that no negligence will be tolerated in food served to children.
He further directed the District Program Officer, District Education Officer, and DFSC to display the Punjab State Food Commission’s helpline number and contact details prominently outside all schools, Anganwadi Centres, and ration depots so that citizens can directly register their complaints with the Commission. Sekhon also directed that e-KYC of Smart Ration Cards be completed at the earliest and that new ration cards be issued to ensure eligible beneficiaries receive the benefits of government welfare schemes.
The Member instructed the District Program Officer to develop Herbal Gardens in those Anganwadi Centres where space is available, stating that this initiative would also help raise awareness among children about the importance of herbal plants and natural health. Sekhon visited the Anganwadi Centre located at the Government Primary School near Anaj Mandi, where he inspected the Nutri Garden and reviewed the quality of the Mid-Day Meal being served to students.
Expressing satisfaction over the arrangements, he later visited the Anganwadi Centre at Mangwal village and interacted with mothers regarding the services provided there. He also inspected the Mid-Day Meal arrangements at Government Girls School, Sangrur, and issued directions that cooks must cover their heads, wash hands before cooking, and undergo regular medical check-ups.He emphasized that such meetings and on-the-spot inspections would continue in the future to ensure strict compliance with all provisions of the Food Security Act.
On this occasion, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Sukhchain Singh, DFSC Gurpreet Singh, District Program Officer Ritendar Kaur, Education Department officials Manjeet Kaur and Baljinder Singh, CDPO Neha Singh, Food Safety Officer Seema Rani, and several other departmental officers were present.