Cabinet: Government to spend ₹17 thousand crore on free distribution of fortified rice by 2028, 80 crore people will benefit
New Delhi| The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the continuation of supply of fortified rice under all government schemes including Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) from July 2024 to December 2028. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav gave this information on Wednesday. Vaishnav explained that the rice fortification initiative will continue as a 100 per cent funding initiative from the government as part of PMGKAY (Food Subsidy).
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that after PM Modi’s emphasis on the need for nutritional security in the country, “Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), other welfare schemes, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)” to overcome anemia and micronutrient deficiency. Initiative was taken to supply fortified rice in ICDS), PM Poshan (erstwhile MDM). In April 2022 the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had decided to implement the rice fortification initiative across the country in a phased manner by March 2024. All three phases have been successfully completed and the target of complete coverage for supply of fortified rice in all schemes of the government has been achieved by March 2024.
Vaishnav said that 80 crore people will benefit from this initiative of the government. The initiative aims to address anemia and micronutrient deficiencies. From July 2024 to December 2028, Rs 17,082 crore will be spent on this initiative. A total of 27 NABL laboratories will be used for testing fortified rice and 11 NABL laboratories for vitamin-mineral pre-mix testing. Vaishnav said Rs 11,000 crore has been invested on the development of the supply chain.
According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), fortified rice is prepared by adding nutrients to normal rice. These micronutrients are added keeping in mind the dietary needs of the people. The level of malnutrition among women and children in India is very high. Because of this, every second Indian woman is suffering from anemia and every third child is a dwarf. India ranks 111th among 125 countries according to Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023. In such a situation, it is very important to provide nutritious food to the malnourished by mixing nutrients in grains. This is a suitable way to fight malnutrition.
