Reiterating his Government’s commitment to give special focus on all-round development of women and children in the State, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday launched ‘Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana’ and 'Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana' of Women and Child Development Department at a programme held in Chandigarh.
Khattar asked all the Deputy Commissioners to include ‘Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana’ in flagship program and make targeted efforts towards addressing the problem of anemia and malnutrition among women and children in the respective districts.
The Chief Minister distributed a packet of fortified flavoured skimmed milk powder to five beneficiaries including three children and two women under ‘Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana’. Apart from this, he also distributed packets of free sanitary napkins to a beneficiary under 'Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana'.
Packets of fortified flavoured skimmed milk powder and sanitary napkins were also distributed to the beneficiaries under both these schemes in all the districts of the State who joined the programme through video conferencing.
Fortified flavoured skimmed milk powder will be given to children between one to six years and pregnant and lactating mothers under the Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana. Under the 'Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana', free sanitary napkins will be provided to adolescent girls and women aged 10-45 years of 11.24 BPL families.
Expressing concern over the problem of malnutrition and anemia, the Chief Minister said that there are some districts like Nuh where the problem of anemia among women and children is relatively high.
He directed the Deputy Commissioners to ensure effective implementation of the 'Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana in their districts. The distribution of fortified flavoured skimmed milk powder under this scheme will play an important role in reducing malnutrition. Under this scheme, children aged between one and six years and pregnant and lactating mothers will be given 200 ml of flavoured skimmed milk at Anganwadi centres for six days in a week in Anganwadi centers.
Khattar said that under the 'Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana', about 22.50 lakh women and adolescent girls would be given a packet of free sanitary napkins every month for a year. Apart from this, the education department has also prepared a scheme under which six sanitary napkins will be made available to 6.50 lakh girl students every month. The Chief Minister said that sometimes people feel hesitant to communicate their problems, but it is the duty of the government to constantly contact the common man and make necessary arrangements for them.
Apart from the government, other government and non-governmental organiSations (NGOs) working in the field of women and child development can also play an important role in the effective implementation of these schemes at the grassroots level and the beneficiaries under this scheme can be encouraged to secure maximum benefits.
Earlier, the CM released a brochure and poster of the 'Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana e and the 'Mahila Evam Kishori Samman' Yojana. He also launched an online transfer policy for transfer of supervisors of the Women and Child Development Department. On this occasion, Khattar congratulated Pradeep Singh of Sonipat district for topping the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2019. He said that by achieving this Singh has illuminated the name of not only his family but also the state.
Minister of State for Women and Child Development Kamlesh Dhanda said that the two schemes would prove beneficial in solving the problem of malnutrition and anemia, adding that Rs 256 crore will be spent every year on both these schemes.