Karnataka unveils scheme to feed 12 lakh pregnant women

Bengaluru, Oct 2: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday flagged off the "Mathru Purna" scheme, which aims to provide nutritious meals to about 12 lakh pregnant women and lactating mothers.

"The scheme aims at reducing under-nutrition among women and children," the Chief Minister said announcing the launch of the scheme here.

"Besides nutritional supplements, counselling and other maternity benefits will be provided at the Aanganwadis under the scheme," Siddaramaiah said.

A provision of Rs 302 crore has been made by the state government during the 2017-18 financial year for the implementation of scheme in all the 30 districts of Karnataka.

One hot cooked meal consisting of rice, dal with leafy vegetables/sambar, a boiled egg/sprouted legumes along with 200 ml of milk would be provided to women for 25 days a month, according to an official release.

"Despite the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (of the Ministry of Women and Child Development), the improvement in the maternal and child health indicators of Karnataka has been slow compared to the rest of the south Indian states," the statement said, giving the reason to launch the "Mathru Purna" scheme.

The scheme aims to bridge the gap between the recommended dietary allowance and the average daily intake of pregnant women and lactating mothers in the state, while trying to reduce the prevalence of anaemia among the pregnant women.

Aanganwadi workers would also be benefit from the scheme, according to the statement.