Fortified rice scheme starts in Chandauli

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath launches the scheme, says awareness should be created among people about the benefits of fortified rice at fair price shops at the time of its distribution among eligible beneficiaries

VARANASI : Chief minister Yogi Adityanath launched a fortified rice-distribution scheme for Chandauli district via video conferencing, on Saturday. Chandauli being one of the aspirational districts, the scheme has been launched in the district as a pilot project to tackle the problem of malnutrition.

Fortified rice is made by grinding broken rice into powder, mixing it with micronutrients, including folic acid, vitamins and zinc, and then shaping it into rice-like kernels. These fortified kernels are then mixed with normal rice in a ratio of 1:100.

The chief minister said, “Fortified rice distribution should be ensured to each beneficiary eligible for it.

Along with ensuring success

of the scheme, we also have to assess its outcome. On the basis of the outcome of the scheme in Chandauli, it will be launched across Uttar Pradesh.”

He said that awareness should be created among people about the benefits of fortified rice at fair price shops at the time of its distribution among eligible beneficiaries. He instructed the district magistrate to ensure that each eligible beneficiary gets the benefit of the scheme.

Fortified rice should be used to end the problem of malnutrition and anaemia among people in tribal areas and among the poor in different pockets, Yogi said.

The chief minister said that public representatives and the public should be involved for the success of the scheme.