Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday reviewed the activities of the Women and Child Development Department at Lok Seva Bhawan and called for strengthening Odisha’s nutritional programs to effectively combat malnutrition.
Focusing on the Take-Home Ration scheme, the Chief Minister stressed the need to enhance the efficiency of the production and distribution of chhatua (nutritional powder). He highlighted the importance of introducing robust monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure that the scheme reaches its beneficiaries without compromise.
Currently, 43,92,700 beneficiaries across various schemes in the state receive chhatua and other nutritional supplements, managed through 546 self-help groups (SHGs). Major initiatives under implementation include the Supplementary Nutrition Scheme, Kishori Pushti Yojana, and Mukhyamantri Sampoorna Pushti Yojana.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for improvements in the entire chain—from preparation to packaging and delivery—and reiterated that the health of women and children is a top priority for the state’s development.
He also called for awareness campaigns to empower women and boost their confidence in facing life’s challenges. Stressing infrastructure needs, Majhi instructed officials to ensure that all anganwadi centers operate from dedicated buildings. He directed that in OMBADC and DMF districts, 100% of anganwadi centers must have their own infrastructure, with funds provided from the respective sources if required. He further advised the purchase of land where necessary and urged repair and maintenance of existing centers.
Expanding the Mukhyamantri Sampoorna Pushti Yojana, the Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure home delivery of food for children unable to attend anganwadi centers. He also suggested involving small-scale industries in providing uniforms and footwear for anganwadi-going children.
Deputy Chief Minister and Women & Child Development Minister Pravati Parida, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Saswat Mishra, Finance Department Principal Secretary Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra, and senior officials attended the meeting.
Departmental Principal Secretary Shubha Sharma presented detailed information on ongoing programs.
