Biscuit Lunch

• Centralised procurement could lead to high levels of corruption since it will involve contractors.
  
• Packaged food often fares poorly on the quality front—as was observed in the case of panjiri (a fortified snack) in UP.
  
• It is vital to tackle the issue of hunger first by providing balanced meals.
  
• Single-source packaged food fortified with micronutrients is not easily digested or absorbed by a malnourished child.

The steering committee members represented by Jean Dreze, Biraj Patnaik, Vandana Prasad and Veena Shatrugna had even cautioned that the WCD ministry was being swayed by commercial interests. But Renuka says she is convinced that fortified snacks is the answer. Says she: "I cannot allow food to be cooked in unhygienic conditions where the quality of water is not tested. And often lizards and rats are found in the food. The incidence of children dying of diarrhoea is nearly 12 per cent in the age group of 3-6. Besides, fortified snacks have worked well in African countries. "

Planning Commission sources say the proposal to provide centrally procured snacks goes against the very grain of a 2004 Supreme Court order. The apex court had clearly stated that money to implement the snp should be given to self-help groups (SHGS)—at no stage should contractors come into the picture.

The quality of packaged food too has come in for criticism. For instance, in Uttar Pradesh fortified snacks were found unsuitable for human consumption and was instead used as cattlefeed. As for hot cooked meals, it has worked well in states like Maharashtra. Says Ujjwal Uke, food commissioner, Maharashtra: "Food is cooked by SHGS selected by the gram sabha. The quality is monitored by anganwadi workers. Payments are not made unless the mata samiti (committee of mothers) gives a clean chit."

Support for hot nutritious meals comes from none other than food security expert M.S. Swaminathan. "Our first priority must be to provide healthy food to children. This can be achieved through parent-government partnership where communities and SHGS come forward to not only cook but also to check the quality of food being served."

But Renuka isn't sure. Her point: there's no way to ensure that cooked meals meet quality norms. She even claims she has the support of the PM: "At no point has he differed from his opinion about what I'm doing. I have his support," Renuka says emphatically. Not everyone is convinced.