Food Quality Row: Anganwadi Worker Resumes Duty After Suspension Triggers Political Storm

Mumbai, August 21 - The Pune Zilla Parishad has reinstated an anganwadi worker who had been suspended after posting a video alleging that uncookable foodgrains had caused stomach pain in children. Reshma Pardhi, a tribal anganwadi worker from Ambegaon tehsil, was reinstated after facing backlash from opposition parties. Her video, posted on social media in July, claimed that yellow peas supplied for children's mid-day meals had failed to cook, leading to stomach aches among the children.

Pardhi also pointed out that other coarse grains supplied to the anganwadi were similarly difficult to prepare, raising concerns about the feasibility of storing and managing a four-month supply. She requested Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe to investigate the food supply. Following her suspension, Pardhi submitted an explanation stating her intentions were good and she merely wanted children to receive nutritious food.

However, the authorities did not find her explanation satisfactory, resulting in her termination on August 17. The Pune Zilla Parishad's decision to reinstate Pardhi and cancel the termination order came under sharp criticism from opposition parties and ruling party MLA Dilip Walse Patil, who acknowledged that food quality issues were not limited to Ambegaon and were present in other parts of Maharashtra.