Food commission chief reviews schemes

Punjab State Food Commission Chairman Bal Mukand Sharma on Friday held a meeting to take stock of the current status of implementation of all major schemes here.

The schemes and programmes reviewed included Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), fair price shops, integrated child development scheme, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, mid-day meal and food samplings by health teams and others.

Officials informed the chairman that there were 1,616 fair price shops and 4,65,575 ration card holders in the district. There were 6,774 AAY cards with 21,921 members, besides 4,58,801 priority Households (PHHs) and 1,74,8791 members. Each AAY card holder was being given 35 kg of food grain every month under the programme and PHH cardholders get 5 kg of food grain per person per month.

The Chairman was also informed by the officials that in July, 110 food samples were collected by health teams, reports of which were awaited.

Sharma stressed the need for regular testing of mid-day meals and asked the officials concerned to maintain a food test register in schools, provide quality food to children and maintain cleanliness while preparing meals. The drinking water quality in schools must also be ensured. He also directed that health check-up of students and medical check-up of mid-day meal workers in schools be conducted every six months. He also asked the officials to ensure fresh vegetables/ fruits to students during mid-day meals.

The Chairman also laid thrust on providing information to expecting mothers regarding the amount of Rs 5,000 being given to them under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.

ADC Anmol Singh Dhaliwal, DFSC Geeta Bishambu and DHO Dr Amarjeet Kaur were among others present in the meeting.