Panjiri is not a sweet dish. Rather, it’s an emotion for people in Punjab. A sweet dish that’s hailed by Ayurveda for its many health benefits, this dish is known to provide warmth to the body and help in digestion, especially during the winter season. The news comes that many anganwadis (rural child care centres in India) in Punjab are offering their residents panjiri made with refined oil instead of ghee. Here’s more to it.
Anganwadis In Punjab Complain Of Poor-Quality Panjiri
As per a report by Hindustan Times, panjiri in anganwadis in Punjab have deteriorated in quality. The Ayurvedic preparation made with roasting wheat flour with dry fruits and spices like fennel, ginger powder and coriander is consumed to regain strength and boost immunity. Ghee is used to roast and bind the ingredients.
Many reports suggest that anganwadis across Punjab are preparing and serving panjiri made of refined oil instead of ghee. Last year, the contract for the dish was given to a Chandigarh private firm. Earlier, the government-run Veka and Marked was supplying the dish to rural centres.
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Served Dishes Made With Refined Oil Instead Of Ghee
The Department of Social Security and Development of woman and children stated in an interview that oil wasn’t used in the dish’s preparation. However, the ingredient breakdown on the packet suggested otherwise. Hargobind Kaur, All Punjab Anganwadi Mulazim union president stated that the five food items served were of inferior quality.
This includes dishes like khichdi, dalia, murmured and panjiri. Since they were of sub-standard quality, children were refusing to consume it. He stated that the new ready-to-eat products were very sub-standard. Earlier, these products were prepared and given to beneficiaries like pregnant women and children. The contract was given to Marked and taken from Verka. However, since Markfed didn’t have its own production line for panjiri, it outsourced it to a private firm.
We hope this issue gets sorted and the beneficiaries of anganwadis in Punjab can consume healthy, good-quality meals.
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