The state Cabinet on Tuesday approved a scheme to provide nutrition to pregnant and lactating women in the tribal areas of the state to curb malnutrition among tribal children. The scheme has been named ‘APJ Abdul Kalam Amru,’ after the late former President.
The scheme, an initiative of the tribal development department, has been announced to mark the completion of one year of the BJP-led government.
It would be implemented by anganwadis that fall under Women and Child Welfare Department in 16 districts that have tribal population.
Under the scheme, the government has planned to provide “one full hot cooked nutritious food” to every pregnant (in third trimester) and lactating mother (first three months post-delivery) in tribal areas of the state. The meal would be served at the anganwadi centre at flexi-time as per the convenience of the beneficiaries and include pulses, rice, fruits, vegetables and boiled eggs with occasional supply of milk.
The scheme aims to curb malnutrition among tribal children by providing nutrition to women for six months at when baby growth is at its peak.
As per the estimate, over 1.8 lakh tribal women across Maharashtra are supposed to be covered under the scheme every year. The scheme will replace the ‘Take Home Ration’ scheme that provides packets of sheera or upma to expectant or lactating mothers.
This will increase the proposed cost of the meal from Rs 7.92 to Rs 22 per beneficiary. The Cabinet also approved a proposal to include the Reshimbagh sports ground at Nagpur in the public and semi-public category. This is the ground where the RSS holds its Dussehra rally.
