Chandigarh, April 10:- The Haryana Government has set a target of almost eliminating malnutrition, especially severe malnutrition, during the year 2026-27 by further strengthening the Poshan Mission in the state. Under the Poshan Abhiyan, daily nutritional support will be provided to lakhs of beneficiaries by increasing financial assistance and coverage. A budget of Rs 170 crore has also been allocated for the Mukhya Mantri Dudh Uphaar Yojana, which will further accelerate the nutrition efforts in the state.
The meeting also reviewed the achievements made during the year 2025-26. About 9.92 lakh beneficiaries were screened across the state, while the development monitoring coverage remained above 99 percent. As a result of continuous and right-direction efforts, cases of severe malnutrition have declined.
Chief Secretary Shri Anurag Rastogi today chaired the seventh meeting of the State Level Convergence Committee and stressed on better coordination between departments, data-based monitoring and effective outreach of services to the last person for sustainable improvement in maternal and child health.
The Chief Secretary directed the officers to ensure active participation of local Panchayats in implementing these initiatives and to conduct awareness campaigns during Gram Sabha meetings. He also stressed on involving women Panches and Sarpanches as key drivers of change, so that community participation increases and positive behavioral changes occur.
The Chief Secretary also directed to establish coordination with the AYUSH Department for development of Poshan Vatikas and celebration of monthly Yoga Day at Anganwadi Centers. Along with this, the Horticulture Department was directed to promote cultivation of fruits and seasonal vegetables, so that efforts for nutrition improvement can be strengthened.
The action plan for the year 2026-27 has given special focus on increasing growth monitoring coverage to 99 percent, bringing severe malnutrition to zero and strengthening supplementary nutrition services. Under this, emphasis will be placed on promoting breastfeeding for infants, improving complementary feeding practices and targeted management of acute malnutrition.
The provision of iron and folic acid supplements to children, adolescents and women will be further strengthened to tackle anaemia. Along with this, overall child health will be ensured by expanding diarrhoea management through ORS and zinc, vaccination, deworming (intestinal worming medicine) and Vitamin A coverage.
Departmental coordination will be strengthened at the grassroots level through ICDS, Health Department, Self Help Groups and Panchayati Raj Institutions. Community initiatives will also be expanded to promote iron-rich diet, local nutritious food items and healthy lifestyle. Along with this, special attention will also be paid to the care of low birth weight newborns.
Commissioner and Secretary, Women and Child Development Department, Shri Shekhar Vidyarthi said that about 15,900 Anganwadi centers have been electrified to improve services. Supply of fortified oil and double fortified salt has been ensured in all districts, while extensive public awareness campaigns have been launched through Village Health, Swachhta and Nutrition Day.
Currently, about 9.46 lakh children and 2.56 lakh pregnant and lactating mothers are being provided daily nutritional support under this program, which also includes various food items under various schemes of the state.
Apart from this, transparency and accountability have been enhanced by implementing digital monitoring through Poshan Tracker and 'Face Recognition' system.
In the meeting, Director, Women and Child Development Department, Dr. Priyanka Soni, Director of the Department of Elementary Education Manita Malik and other senior officials were present.