Chairman of the Punjab State Food Commission, constituted under the National Food Security Act, 2013, Sh. Bal Mukund Sharma, today chaired a review meeting with senior officers of various departments at the District Administrative Complex, Mansa. MLA Dr. Vijay Singla and Additional Deputy Commissioner Ms. Poonam Singh were also present on the occasion.
During the meeting, he carried out a detailed review of the status of Anganwadi Centres, Fair Price Shops, and the ongoing Mid-Day Meal program in Government Schools. Expressing satisfaction over the outcome of the schemes being implemented in the district, Sh. Sharma informed that out of 70,000 ration kits dispatched by the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, 93% have already been distributed to beneficiaries in Mansa.
The kits include essential daily-use items such as sugar, pulses, salt, turmeric and mustard oil, and have received a very positive response from the public. Referring to the Commission’s recommendations, the Chairman stated that the establishment of a ‘Poshan Bagichi’ in every school has been made mandatory to safeguard children’s health.
He commended the Mansa district administration for setting up these gardens in 60% of the schools. He directed that vegetables, fruits, herbs, and medicinal plants such as amla, moringa, curry leaves and mint be grown specifically in these gardens to make Mid-Day Meals more nutritious for children.
Sh. Sharma issued strict instructions to ensure 100% coverage of all welfare schemes for beneficiaries at Anganwadi Centres. Highlighting the need to curb social evils, he directed Education Department officials to conduct regular checks of students’ school bags to ensure no child is falling prey to tobacco or other harmful habits.
He also ordered strict enforcement of the government directive prohibiting the sale of energy drinks in the vicinity of schools. To strengthen transparency and public grievance redressal, the Chairman said the Food Commission’s helpline number 98767-64545 must be prominently displayed at every Anganwadi Centre, Government School, Fair Price Shop and public office.
He added that any citizen can register a complaint or suggestion on this number, and action will be taken within the stipulated timeframe. MLA Dr. Vijay Singla, on the occasion, said the periodic visits and reviews by the Chairman and Members of the Punjab State Food Commission, and the effective implementation of schemes at the grassroots level, is a commendable effort.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Ms. Poonam Singh directed all departmental officers to ensure coordinated and time-bound implementation of the Commission’s guidelines. She also stressed the need for preparing a department-wise action plan and for further strengthening and systematizing ‘Poshan Bagichis’.
The meeting was attended by District Food and Supplies Controller Mandeep Singh Maan, District Education Officer (Secondary) Neelam Rani, District Education Officer (Primary) Manju Bala, Chief Agriculture Officer Harvinder Singh Sidhu, Civil Surgeon Dr. Ranjit Singh Rai, and other officers.