Chandigarh, August 5- While reiterating that the State Government is laying special emphasis on the overall development of women and children in the State, Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal has urged all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to include ‘Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana’ in their flagship programmes and make targeted efforts towards addressing the problem of anaemia and malnutrition among women and children in their respective districts.

Mr Manohar Lal was speaking after launching 'Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana’ and 'Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana' here today. Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Mrs Kamlesh Dhanda was also present on this occasion.

Under the ‘Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana’, fortified flavoured skimmed milk powder would be provided to children between 1 and 6 years of age in Anganwadi Centres and pregnant and lactating mothers under the Integrated Child Development Scheme, while under 'Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana', adolescent girls and women between 10 to 45 years of age of about 11,24,871 BPL families would be provided free sanitary napkins.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister also distributed packets of skimmed milk powder to five beneficiaries of ‘Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana’ including three children and two pregnant women. Apart from this, he also distributed packets of free sanitary napkins to the beneficiaries of 'Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana'. He also recalled that on the same day today that is August 5, 1991, Mrs Leila Seth became the first woman to become Chief Justice of a state High Court.

Packets of skimmed milk powder and sanitary napkins were also distributed simultaneously to the beneficiaries of both the schemes in all districts of the State who joined the programme through video conferencing.

While expressing concern over the problem of malnutrition and anaemia, Mr Manohar Lal said that there are few districts in the State like Nuh where the problem of anaemia among women and children is comparatively high. He asked the DCs to ensure effective implementation of the 'Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana’ in their respective districts saying that the fortified flavored skimmed milk powder to be distributed under the scheme would play an important role in reducing malnutrition. This milk would contain nutritious elements like protein, calcium, magnesium, B-12 as well as vitamins-A and D, which would replenish the micro-nutrients and vitamins in the body. Under this scheme, around 200 ml of fragrant skimmed milk would be given per day for six days in a week to the children between 1 and 6 years of age in Anganwadi Centres and pregnant and lactating mothers.

He said that under the 'Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana' about 22.50 lakh women and adolescent girls would be given a packet of free sanitary napkins every month for a year, which would contain 6 napkins. Apart from this, the Education Department has also prepared a scheme under which 6.50 lakh girl students would be provided six sanitary napkins every month. The Chief Minister said sometimes people feel hesitant to discuss their problems but it is the duty of the government to proactively approach and make necessary arrangements for them.

The Chief Minister said that apart from the Government, the other Government Organizations and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) working in the field of women and child development could also play a vital role in the effective implementation of these schemes at the grass root level and also encouraging the beneficiaries to take maximum benefit under this scheme.

He said that the present State Government has been working by focusing on 4-S that is Shiksha (education), Swasthya (health), Suraksha (Security) and Swamlamban (Self-reliance). He said that now another S has also been included and that is Swabhiman so as to ensure that people live with self-respect. For this, yesterday only he has launched the distribution of Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) from Panchkula under which people would not be required to visit government offices rather the government would go their doorsteps to provide them benefits of various welfare schemes and programmes.

Earlier, the Chief Minister also released the brochure and poster of 'Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana’ and 'Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana'. He also launched the online transfer policy for the transfers of Supervisors of Women and Child Development Department.

On this occasion, Mr Manohar Lal congratulated Mr Pradeep Singh of Sonepat district who has topped the UPSC Civil services exam 2019. He said that by achieving this great feat, Mr Pradeep Singh has brought laurels not only to his family but also to the State.

Speaking on this occasion, Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Mrs Kamlesh Dhanda said that the two schemes - Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana’ and 'Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana' launched by Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal today would not only give a major boost to Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi’s “Beti Bachao –Beti Padhao” campaign but also help in addressing the problem of malnutrition among women and children. She said that an amount of Rs 256 crore would be spent every year on both these schemes. She said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr Manohar Lal, the present State Government has taken several decisions for the welfare of women and children in the State.

Chief Secretary, Ms Keshni Anand Arora thanked Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal for launching two new schemes aimed at the welfare of women and children and said that the schemes would prove to be immensely beneficial in solving the problem of malnutrition and anaemia among them.

Additional Chief Secretary, Women and Child Development Department Mr Amit Jha expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal saying that he has always been concerned about the welfare of women and children. He said that now with the launch of Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana’, fortified flavored skimmed milk powder would be distributed to eligible beneficiaries at their doorstep in villages of all districts through the Anganwadi Centres.

While Deputy Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mrs Ashima Brar and Chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Mrs Jyoti Bainda were present on this occasion here at Chandigarh, all Deputy Commissioners and Officers of Women and Child Development Department joined through video conferencing.