Union Minister for Food Processing Industries met with food processing industry leaders late evening yesterday to plan a strategy for assistance to be provided to people of Kerala. The meeting was attended by representatives from companies like ITC, Coca Cola, Pepsi, Hindustan Unilever, Dabur, MTR, Nestle, Britannia, Maricoamong others. The Minister said “It is time to work as a cohesive unit and make a coordinatedeffort to help the people of Kerala, instead of separate entities making individual efforts.” Smt Badal said that her Ministry was in regular contact with the State Government and district officials to gather their requirements.Smt Badal spoke with Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinari Vijayan to express her concern on the calamity and assured the State Government of all assistance from Ministry of Food Processing Industries. The Minister sought Shri Vijayan’s inputs on what assistance was immediately required, to which the Chief Minister informed that lakhs of infants in Relief Camps were in requirement of baby food. The requirement was conveyed to food processing companies by the Union Minister.The meeting was in pursuance of an appeal by Smt Badal on 19th August, 2018 to food processing companies across India to contribute generously to the Kerala relief operations. Consequently, the companies have pledged full support to the endeavour by Ministry of Food Processing Industries to reach out to the affected population.