Punjab State Food Commission Chairman Bal Mukund Sharma emphasized nutritional security while addressing a meeting with officials from various departments here today. During the meeting, which included Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development) Buddhi Raj Singh and officials from the departments of Food and Civil Supplies, Health, Social Security, and Education, the Chairman stated that while the Commission is committed to providing quality food to the people of the state, special focus is being given to children’s health.
The Chairman stressed the need to develop nutrition gardens at Anganwadi centers in the district to ensure that children receive food rich in essential nutrients. He also instructed officials from the School Education Department to ensure that vacant areas in schools are used to grow fruits, vegetables, as well as herbal and medicinal plants.
This will help provide fresh and nutritious food to children. While reviewing the mid-day meal program, Mr. Sharma emphasized providing high-quality and nutritious food to children.
He said proper storage of rations, cleanliness during food preparation, and hygiene must be ensured. He also said that food coming to Anganwadi centers for beneficiaries and the mid-day meal ration in schools must be stored properly.
In addition, he instructed that cooks, helpers, and other staff should be given formal training on hygiene and standards. He stressed the importance of coordination between the Health Department and the School Education Department for this purpose.
The Chairman also reviewed the health check-up programs in schools and instructed that proper records be maintained. He said that a bright future for children can be secured through nutritional security.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner shared that 1,30,683 students in the district are currently benefiting from the mid-day meal scheme, and all government schools have kitchen sheds, gas connections, gas stoves, and fire extinguishers. He also stated that in Shahkot, which is an aspirational block, nutrition gardens have been developed in 30 Anganwadi centers.
The DFSC Narinder Singh informed that the district currently has 790 fair price shops, and that there are 278,856 ration card holders and around 1,254,856 beneficiaries who are provided wheat through ration depots. Present at the occasion were DSSO Manjinder Singh, DEO (Elementary) Harjinder Kaur, and officials from various departments.