Bangalore: A new food programme would be
introduced for children in Anganwadi Kendras in Karnataka
keeping in view local tastes and habits, Women and Child
Welfare Minister C C Patil said on Monday.
The new programme would be launched in Mysore this week
and 45 taluks would be covered in the first phase, the
Minister told reporters here.
Patil also said he would soon meet Union Women and Child
Welfare Minister Krishna Tirath seeking to enhance central
grant to each mid-day meal for such children by Rs three.
At present, Rs 4.5 is being spent per meal, including the
central grant of Rs two. There is a need to make the meals
more nutritious, Patil added.
"Spirulina" dietary supplements are being given to
children in ten Anganwadi Kendras in Tumkur district on a
pilot basis, and if studies proved that they were effective,
the programme would be extended to other centres, he said.
Patil, who is also in-charge Minister of Gadag, said 2.5
lakh quintals of onion had been procured from farmers the
district following dip in its prices.
A sum of Rs two crore had been released for onion
procurement in the district, and another Rs 2.5 crore would be
released in a day or two. A total of Rs six crore would be
released within a week, he said denying charge by some
Opposition leaders that the farmers had not been paid for
their produce.
"All farmers will be paid within a week", he said.
PTI
First Published: Monday, January 02, 2012, 16:04