SAS Nagar, November 26, 2024: Punjab State Food Commission Chairman Bal Mukand Sharma reviewed the beneficiary schemes being run under the National Food Security Act in SAS Nagar district during his first visit to the district.
Stressing on quality and purity, the State Food Commission Chairman said that sampling of the material being distributed under the Food Security Act should be done periodically so that the quality of food grains or other food items can be ensured.
Suggesting the concept of starting kitchen gardens in schools to use fresh produce in mid-day meals, he said that fresh vegetables can be more nutritious for students. He also stressed on making the students aware of the importance of washing hands thoroughly before and after meals.
He asked the District Health Officer Dr. Amrit Warring, present in the meeting, to ensure the health check-up of students and children admitted to Anganwadis through the National Child Health Programme teams of doctors to see if they need any kind of treatment. Eye problems, dental treatment, anaemia (blood deficiency) and other health problems should be treated on priority.
District Education Officer (Elementary Education) Prem Mittal, while presenting the report on mid-day meal, said that all government and aided schools provide mid-day meal to students from UKG to class VIII as per the pre-determined menu on all working days. He said that there are 659 upper primary and primary schools in the district.
DFSC Navreet Kaur informed the Chairman of the Food Commission that there are 4,59,392 beneficiaries under the PHH category of smart ration card in the district while there are 1,21,419 beneficiaries under the Annatodaya Anna Yojana. The quarterly distribution for the current quarter is starting which will be completed by December. Similarly, eKYC is also going on and 69 percent target has been achieved so far.
District Program Officer Gagandeep Singh informed about the progress of Supplementary Nutritional Food that there are a total of 53,000 beneficiaries under this scheme in Anganwadis of the district, out of which 31,000 are pregnant mothers, lactating mothers and newborn children of 0-3 years.
The Chairman of the State Food Commission directed the concerned officers to display the Commission's helpline number; 98767-64545, at all those places; where the beneficiaries feel the need to complain in case of any difficulty or violation of the Act.
Deputy Commissioner Mrs. Ashika Jain assured the Chairman Mr. Bal Bukand Sharma of full compliance with all the guidelines of the National Food Security Act in the district. And said that ADC(D) Sonam Chaudhary has already been appointed as the District Grievance Redressal Officer under the Act.