Thiruvananthapuram: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Saturday directed the Kerala Directorate of Women and Child Development to ensure that anganwadis comply with guidelines under the 'poshaka balyam' scheme, which provides milk and eggs to children.

Justice Alexander Thomas, chairperson of the SHRC, issued the directive following a complaint that milk and eggs were not being distributed in the prescribed quantities in anganwadis under urban-III, Thiruvananthapuram. The complaint was filed by anganwadi workers and helpers from the same area.

During the proceedings, the Director of Women and Child Development submitted a report on the department's inquiry. The commission noted that, as per the report, under the scheme, launched in 2022-23, eggs and milk are to be provided twice a week.

A circular issued by the Director of Women and Child Development on May 20, 2022, mandates that anganwadis provide 125 ml of milk to each child. However, the report stated that milk distribution in the anganwadis under complaint did not adhere to the circular. In some centres, only 500 ml of milk was provided even on days when more than four children were present.

The director informed the commission that instructions had been issued to strictly follow the circular. Haritha V Kumar is listed as the department's director, according to the official website.

The 'poshaka balyam', or "nutritious childhood" scheme, is a state government initiative aimed at improving the nutrition of children aged 3-6 by providing milk and eggs twice a week through anganwadis.