More than 20,000 women self help groups (SHGs) are now involved in cooking snacks and hot meals at Anganwadi centres across Chhattisgarh, officials stated. Moreover, about 1,500 women SHGs are also engaged in making Ready-to-Eat food. For ensuring nutritious food supply for women and children in Chhattisgarh, the State Government has provisioned Rs470 crore for supplementary diets in the financial 2015-16 officials informed.
Under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), about 26.62 lakh women and children are receiving supplementary diets through over 50,000 Anganwadi and Mini Anganwadi centers. About 12.26 lakh children of age group six month to three years, 9.28 lakh children between 3 to 6 years and 5.8 lakh pregnant and mothers of new born babies are being covered in this scheme, officials said.
Currently through 50,000 Anganwadi and Mini Anganwadi centers these supplementary foods are being distributed. In year 2001, only 11.60 lakh beneficiaries were part of this scheme however now this number has reached 26.62 lakh, they said. Women and Child Development Department officials informed that children of age group 3 to 6 years who are suffering from serious malnutrition are provided hot food and snacks in the Anganwadi centers.
Meals served to these children include rice, vegetables, mixed dal while the snacks like ready-to-eat food, soaked gram, jiggery and roasted ground nut.