Govt shifts focus to nutrition in schools

RANCHI: Chief minister Raghubar Das on Friday said that the government will appoint 12,000 women 'poshan sakhis' (nutrition companions) contract workers to implement and monitor various government schemes aimed at tackling the problem of malnutrition in schools.
Das said that under the new scheme, three lakh students covering 40,000 schools in the state would benefit.The announcement while inaugurating additional nourishment scheme which is an extension of the already existing midday meal (MDM) scheme for government primary schools students.
Das along with HRD minister Dr Neera Yadav and secretary Aradhna Patnaik served meals to the students of government middle school, Jagannathpur. Under the new scheme, the government has decided to serve eggs and fruits to non-vegetarian and vegetarian students thrice a week. This provision was made during the tenure of Hemant Soren-led state government.
Welcoming the new scheme, members of the state's 'right to food' campaign said this initiative is a positive step in fighting malnourishment. "The government should now review packaged food provided in anganwadis which has received several complaints ," said Gurjeet, a member of the campaign.