Remark on milk by Finance Dept overlooked by BMC

Mumbai, Dec 26 (UNI) The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Education Committee's General Secretary Ramesh Joshi today alleged that the remark by Chief Auditor of its Finance department was overlooked because of which the children had suffered.

According to a letter submitted to the civic administration, Mr Patil said the Chief Auditor, Bhaurao Patil, had advised a scientific test for the free flavoured milk scheme on May 22. It was endorsed by Additional Municipal Commissioner Manu Kumar Srivastav.

They had remarked that many children would find it difficult to digest it.

Mr Joshi said the department had overlooked the remarks because of which the children suffered. He has a record of all the correspondence between the departments and the milk contractor, which he shared with the media.

In addition to the correspondence, he also said some of the departments in the corporation wanted the civic body to buy the milk from the State farmers as they were struggling to get a good price for their milk. Mahananda, the State-run milk company, also wanted the order for a period of 5 years.

It may be recalled that 48 children from 2 BMC schools had taken ill and complained of stomach ache, besides vomitting, in the last fortnight after consuming the milk distributed by the corporation.

Following which, the corporation discontinued the scheme till the next decision is taken by the Standing Committee.

The milk has been sent for a scientific test at the BMC-run laboratory and the reports are awaited.

UNI