'Matru Poorna Scheme' sees a setback in DK
Alternative arrangement planned
- Schemes registers 26 % progress in April, 24 % in May and June
- Puerperal and pregnant women stay away from Anganwadis
Mangaluru, July 31: The much ambitious programme ‘Matru Poorna Scheme’ introduced by the previous Siddaramaiah government 10 months back to provide nutritious food to puerperal and pregnant women witnessed a setback in the Dakshina Kannada district.
The officials also apprised Woman and Child Welfare department Minister Dr Jayamala who visited the district recently about this situation. Following this, the department is mulling alternative arrangement. The scheme has recorded just 26 per cent progress in April and 24 per cent in May and June. The main reason for this setback is because the puerperal and pregnant women have kept themselves away from Anganwadi centres, self respect issue and others.
Before introducing the scheme, the family members of puerperal and pregnant women used to go to Anganwadi centres and bring nutritious food by signing in the registers. As there was an allegation that the food items were being misused, the government had issued an order to have the food in Anganwadi centres. But the government authorities have failed to provide required facilities. In spite of various problems, Anganwadi workers were cooking food due to the fear of losing their jobs. But the beneficiaries did not respond to the scheme positively due to which, the scheme has witnessed a setback.
The department has the target of providing food to 12,762 pregnant women and 12,126 puerperal women in the district. In April, only 1,814 (14%) pregnant women and 1,495 (12%) puerperal women turned out to the anganwadi centres and had food. But in May, the number of pregnant women reduced to 1,561 (12%) and puerperal women to 1,309 (11%) and in June, 1,511 (12%) pregnant women and 1,313 (11%) puerperal women got the benefit.
When the scheme was launched on October 2, 2017, total 29,468 beneficiaries including 14,294 pregnant women were identified in the district and it was implemented in 2,104 anganwadis across the district. The department had strictly directed the anganwadi workers and assistants to have food with the beneficiaries. In 2018, the target was fixed for 29,076 beneficiaries including 12,762 pregnant women, 12,126 puerperal women, 2,104 anganwadi workers and 2,084 anganwadi assistants in the district. In order to implement the scheme effectively, the government had announced Rs 500 and Rs 250 additional honorarium for Anganwadi workers and assistants respectively. Interestingly around 98 per cent anganwadi workers and assistants responded to this scheme. But as the beneficiaries have not shown the interest, the programme has received poor response.
Food being provided under scheme
- Lunch will have rice, sambar, saagu, boiled egg, milk and chikki prepared out of groundnut and jaggery. Beneficiaries will get food 25 days a month and 300 days a year. For vegetarians, sprouts will be provided. This would ensure minimum 40-45% nutritions including protein, calcium and others.
- Gruel and chutney will be provided on Tuesday and Thursday. Remaining days will have rice and sambar.
- Along with food, iron tablets and iodine-rich salt will also be provided to pregnant women.
“Minister Dr Jayamala was apprised of the problem being faced by the scheme in the district. Discussions were being held to make alternative arrangement in the district”.
- Sundara Poojary, Deputy Director, Woman and Child Welfare Department
“This scheme is not suitable for this environment. Because the self respect of pregnant and puerperal women come on their way to go to Anganwadi centres to have food whether their houses are near or far away from the centres. Moreover, they find it difficult to reach the centres on time. It is better to change the scheme at least for the Dakshina Kannada district”.
- Hasina Mangaluru, Home Maker
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France's TotalEnergies says no new investment in Adani till bribe charges cleared
New Delhi, Nov 25: French energy giant TotalEnergies SE on Monday said it will make no new financial contribution as part of its investments in Adani group companies till the Indian firm's founder is cleared of bribery charges.
The energy giant said it was not aware of the investigation into the alleged corruption.
TotalEnergies is one of the biggest foreign investors in billionaire Gautam Adani's business empire and had previously taken stakes in the group's renewable energy venture Adani Green Energy Ltd (AEGL) and city gas unit Adani Total Gas Ltd (ATGL).
In a statement, the French firm said it learnt of US authorities indicting Gautam Adani and two other executives for allegedly paying USD 265 million bribes to Indian officials to secure solar power supply contracts for AEGL.
"This indictment does not target AGEL itself, nor any AGEL-related companies," TotalEnergies said. "Until such time when the accusations against the Adani group individuals and their consequences have been clarified, TotalEnergies will not make any new financial contribution as part of its investments in the Adani group of companies."
Adani group has dismissed the allegations brought in the US court as baseless and has said it would seek all possible legal recourse.
TotalEnergies holds a 19.75 per cent stake in Adani Green Energy Ltd - the renewable energy arm of the Indian group helmed by Gautam Adani. It also has a 50 per cent stake in three joint venture companies that produce electricity from sunlight and wind with AEGL.
The French firm also holds a 37.4 per cent stake in Adani Total Gas Ltd, which retails CNG to automobiles and pipes natural gas to households for cooking.
"In accordance with its code of conduct, TotalEnergies rejects corruption in any form," the French giant said in the statement. "TotalEnergies, which is not targeted nor involved in the facts described by such indictment, will take all relevant actions to protect its interests as a minority (19.75 per cent) shareholder of AGEL and as a joint-venture partner (50 per cent) in project companies with AGEL."
The company said it made the investments in Adani's entities "in full compliance with applicable laws".
This was also in line with its own internal governance processes pursuant to due diligence and representations made by the sellers.
"In particular, TotalEnergies was not made aware of the existence of an investigation into the alleged corruption scheme," the statement added.
In January 2021, TotalEnergies acquired a minority interest in the listed company Adani Green Energy Limited (AEGL) of which it now owns 19.75 per cent. As part of its strategy to enhance its development in renewables in India through direct access to a portfolio of assets, it has also acquired a 50 per cent stake in three joint ventures operating renewable assets (AGEL23 in 2020, AREL9 in 2023, and AREL64 in 2024).
The French energy giant had in February last year put on hold a planned investment in Adani Group's USD 50 billion hydrogen project pending results of an audit launched following allegations by a US short-seller.
While the partnership, where the French oil giant was to take a 25 per cent stake in the hydrogen venture of the Adani group, was announced in June 2022, TotalEnergies had not yet signed a contract.
As per the June 2022 announcement, TotalEnergies was to take 25 per cent equity in Adani New Industries Ltd (ANIL) – the Adani Group firm that is investing USD 50 billion over 10 years in a green hydrogen ecosystem, including an initial production capacity of 1 million tonnes before 2030.
The announcement by Total adds to the woes of Adani. The crisis around the group, which began when Hindenburg released a damning report in January 2023, has also been used by the opposition parties to attack the government, alleging that the tycoon's rise was primarily because of his association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government has rejected the allegation.
Hindenburg's allegations of accounting and financial fraud unleashed an over USD 150 billion rout in market value across Adani’s companies. Adani group has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them malicious and an "attack on India".
The group stocks had recovered most of the losses before last week's indictment in a New York Court.
TotalEnergies, France's largest oil and gas company, first joined hands with Adani in 2018 for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) venture before buying a 19.75 per cent stake in AGEL and a stake in solar assets for USD 2.5 billion in 2020-21. It also took a 37.4 per cent stake in ATGL.
