NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday announced extension of free fortified rice under various government welfare programs, including the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana ( PMGKAY ), until the end of 2028.
This initiative, which aims to reduce anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies among the population, will come at a cost of Rs 17,082 crore, entirely borne by the central government .
"Today the cabinet approved the continuation of supply of free Fortified Rice under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKAY) and other welfare schemes from July, 2024 to December, 2028. The expectation is that it will reduce anaemia and micro-nutrient deficiency. The total financial implication will be Rs 17,082 Cr and 100% funding will be by the Central Government," Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said during the press briefing.
The implementation of this program is expected to have a significant impact on the health and well-being particularly those from economically weaker backgrounds.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had decided in April 2022 to implement the Rice fortification initiative across India in a phased manner, with the goal of achieving universal coverage by March 2024. The initiative has been successfully completed, and fortified rice is now being supplied in all government schemes.
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), conducted between 2019 and 2021, reveals that anaemia is a widespread problem in India, affecting people of all ages and income levels. In addition to iron deficiency, deficiencies in other vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin B12 and folic acid, also persist, negatively impacting the overall health and productivity of the population.
Food fortification has been widely used as a safe and effective way to address anaemia and micronutrient malnutrition in vulnerable populations and Rice is an ideal way for supplying micronutrients in India, as it is a staple food for 65 per cent of the population.
The process of rice fortification involves adding Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK), which are enriched with micronutrients (Iron, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12) as per standards prescribed by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India), to regular rice (custom milled rice).
Vaishnaw further informed that 27 NABL labs will be used for FRK testing to ensure the quality of the fortified rice and 11 NABL labs will be used for vitamin-mineral premix testing. An investment of Rs 11,000 crore has been made to develop the supply chain for this initiative.
Additionally, the government also approved the construction of 2,280 km of road along the border areas of Rajasthan and Punjab.
"PM Modi has emphasized the development of infrastructure in border areas. Today the cabinet approved construction of 2,280 km of roads with an investment of Rs 4,406 crore in the border areas of Rajasthan and Punjab," said Vaishnaw.
The Cabinet also announced the development of a National Maritime Heritage Complex at Gujrat's Lothal. "Today the Cabinet has approved that a National Maritime Heritage Complex will be developed at Lothal in Gujarat...The proposal aims to showcase the rich and diverse maritime heritage and create the largest maritime heritage complex in the world," said the Union minister.
This initiative, which aims to reduce anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies among the population, will come at a cost of Rs 17,082 crore, entirely borne by the central government .
"Today the cabinet approved the continuation of supply of free Fortified Rice under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKAY) and other welfare schemes from July, 2024 to December, 2028. The expectation is that it will reduce anaemia and micro-nutrient deficiency. The total financial implication will be Rs 17,082 Cr and 100% funding will be by the Central Government," Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said during the press briefing.
The implementation of this program is expected to have a significant impact on the health and well-being particularly those from economically weaker backgrounds.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had decided in April 2022 to implement the Rice fortification initiative across India in a phased manner, with the goal of achieving universal coverage by March 2024. The initiative has been successfully completed, and fortified rice is now being supplied in all government schemes.
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), conducted between 2019 and 2021, reveals that anaemia is a widespread problem in India, affecting people of all ages and income levels. In addition to iron deficiency, deficiencies in other vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin B12 and folic acid, also persist, negatively impacting the overall health and productivity of the population.
Food fortification has been widely used as a safe and effective way to address anaemia and micronutrient malnutrition in vulnerable populations and Rice is an ideal way for supplying micronutrients in India, as it is a staple food for 65 per cent of the population.
The process of rice fortification involves adding Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK), which are enriched with micronutrients (Iron, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12) as per standards prescribed by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India), to regular rice (custom milled rice).
Vaishnaw further informed that 27 NABL labs will be used for FRK testing to ensure the quality of the fortified rice and 11 NABL labs will be used for vitamin-mineral premix testing. An investment of Rs 11,000 crore has been made to develop the supply chain for this initiative.
Additionally, the government also approved the construction of 2,280 km of road along the border areas of Rajasthan and Punjab.
"PM Modi has emphasized the development of infrastructure in border areas. Today the cabinet approved construction of 2,280 km of roads with an investment of Rs 4,406 crore in the border areas of Rajasthan and Punjab," said Vaishnaw.
The Cabinet also announced the development of a National Maritime Heritage Complex at Gujrat's Lothal. "Today the Cabinet has approved that a National Maritime Heritage Complex will be developed at Lothal in Gujarat...The proposal aims to showcase the rich and diverse maritime heritage and create the largest maritime heritage complex in the world," said the Union minister.
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