- Cabinet approves continuation of supply of free Fortified Rice under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and other welfare schemes from July, 2024 to December, 2028
- With this initiative, the Indian government aims to ensure better health outcomes and enhance the overall well-being of its citizens.
- In line with the Prime Minister’s address on the 75th Independence Day, the continuation of Rice Fortification initiative will complement the interventions adopted under the Anaemia Mukt Bharat strategy of the Government of India
- Big step towards nutritional security in line with the PM’s vision
NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, OCT 9
The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of universal fortified rice supply across all government schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and other welfare initiatives. This initiative, set to continue from July 2024 until December 2028, aims to combat widespread nutritional deficiencies among vulnerable populations.
The rice fortification programme will be implemented as a central sector initiative, with the Government of India providing 100% funding under the PMGKAY food subsidy scheme. This unified institutional framework is designed to streamline the initiative’s execution.
Aligned with PM Modi’s address on the 75th Independence Day, which underscored the need for nutritional security, the initiative will supply fortified rice throughout the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), integrated child development services (ICDS), and PM POSHAN (previously known as the Mid-Day Meal scheme) across all states and union territories, the cabinet said in a statement. This effort aims to address the pressing issues of anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies that affect significant segments of the population.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) previously approved the phased implementation of the rice fortification initiative in April 2022, with a target completion date of March 2024. All three phases of this rollout have been successfully completed, achieving universal coverage for fortified rice supply by the set deadline.
Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), conducted between 2019 and 2021, reveals that anaemia remains a critical public health concern in India, affecting children, women, and men across various age groups and socioeconomic strata. In addition to iron deficiency, other nutritional gaps, including deficiencies in Vitamin B12 and folic acid, have been identified, undermining overall health and productivity.
Globally recognised as a safe and effective strategy to combat anaemia and micronutrient malnutrition, food fortification is particularly suitable for India, where rice serves as a staple food for approximately 65% of the population. The fortification process involves incorporating Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK), enriched with essential micronutrients such as iron, folic acid, and Vitamin B12, into regular custom-milled rice, following the standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
