Raipur, 18 February 2023
The Central Government has approved the proposal of Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel to include millets in the mid-day meal scheme. Now, under Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Yojana, in 12 districts of Chhattisgarh, instead of soya chikki, food made from millets will be distributed to school children four days a week.
According to the intention of the Government of Chhattisgarh, a proposal was sent to the Central Government by the Directorate of Public Education to partially modify this scheme and distribute food items made of millets in place of soya chikki. This proposal has been approved by the Director PM Nutrition of the Central Government.
It is notable that farmers are being given full incentives for the production of millets in the state. Millets like Kodo, Kutki-Ragi are being procured at support price. Apart from this, input subsidy of Rs 9 thousand is being provided to the millets producing farmers of the state under the Millets Mission. The year 2023 has been declared as the International Millet Year.
It is worth noting that earlier in the annual action plan of Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana, the central government has given 1787.20 lakh rupees as central share and 1787.20 lakh rupees as state share to provide soy chikki to children in 7 districts of Chhattisgarh under supplementary nutrition diet for 55 days. 1198.14 lakh in this way a total of Rs 2995.34 lakh was sanctioned.
