Launch of supplementary nutrition unit

Raipur : Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Rajwade today formally inaugurated the “Supplemental Nutrition Diet” manufacturing unit in village Paladnauli under Odgi development block of Surajpur district. Addressing the program organized on this occasion, he said that the state government is continuously working for better health and nutritional security of children, pregnant women and lactating mothers. This unit is an important and result oriented initiative towards eradication of malnutrition.

Minister Rajwade said that under the resolve of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for “well-nourished India” and the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, the Chhattisgarh government is running a comprehensive campaign against malnutrition. This unit established in Paladnauli will ensure availability of fresh, quality and nutritious food at the local level, which will positively improve the health of children and mothers.

Sweet power food and salty nutritious porridge will be manufactured in this unit. The unit will be operated by Radhe Mahila Self Help Group, Paladnauli. Food prepared from locally available nutritious ingredients will be made available regularly to children aged 6 months to 6 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers through Anganwadi centres. This will ensure quality, freshness and timely delivery.

Minister Rajwade said that handing over the responsibility of production and distribution to self-help groups is a strong step towards women empowerment. With this, the women of the group will become financially independent and the rural economy will also be strengthened. Praising the Radhe Mahila Self-Help Group, he said that the women of the group are now emerging as successful entrepreneurs and not just beneficiaries of the schemes.

During the program, Minister Rajwade inspected the unit and took information about the manufacturing process and gave instructions to ensure cleanliness, quality and production as per the prescribed standards. He expressed confidence that this initiative will provide new direction and momentum to efforts to eradicate malnutrition in the region. Local public representatives, villagers and concerned departmental officers were present in large numbers in the programme.