By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Social Welfare department has denied that it has flouted the Supreme Court ruling by engaging contractors for supply of food items under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS).
Reacting a news report appeared a section of the press, the director of Social Welfare department HM Shangpliang in a statement on Thursday said “We have strictly abided by the apex court ruling by engaging Self Help Groups (SHGs) and manufacturers for supply of food items under the scheme”.
Shangpliang said the department did not issue any directive to the SHGs to purchase fortified food items from a particular business house.
“The SHGs are free to procure food items from any dealer,” he said.
On the decision of some SHGs to stop supply of food items due to escalation in the prices, he said the supply of the food items is going on smoothly since they have been engaged some other NGOs for the purpose.
As regards with the price of milk supplied by M/S Continental Milkose India Limited, which was enhance its price from Rs 185 to Rs 231 per kg from April 1 20011, he said the department should have in fact enhanced the price again since the rate has considerably gone up in the open market.
“Despite the increase in the price, the company has given an undertaking that the firm is willing to supply under the scheme at the same rate till March 2013,” he added.