Chhattisgarh’s government is implementing a program to involve women’s self-help groups in the production of ready-to-eat meals, fulfilling a commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The initiative began in Raigarh, with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai distributing contracts to 10 women’s self-help groups for the manufacture and distribution of the meals.
Other dignitaries present included Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary, Raigarh MP Radheshyam Rathia, Rajya Sabha MP Devendra Pratap Singh, MLA Purandar Mishra, Zila Panchayat President Shikha Ravindra Gabel, Mayor Jivardhan Chauhan, and Zila Panchayat member Sushma Khalkho.
As a pilot project, the program will initially be implemented in six districts. Chief Minister Sai announced that the government would assign the production and distribution of supplementary nutrition (ready-to-eat) for Anganwadi centers to women’s self-help groups. Raigarh is the first district where contracts have been distributed.
The Chief Minister stated that these groups would supply nutritious food to children in Anganwadis and also earn income, thus financially empowering the women. This program supports self-employment and social and economic empowerment, while helping to improve the nutritional standards for children.
He also mentioned the implementation of various guarantees by Prime Minister Modi over the past year and a half, such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, paddy procurement, bonus payments, Mahtari Vandan Yojana, increased tendu leaf collection rates, and the Charan Paduka scheme.
In addition, the Ramlala Darshan Yojana and pilgrimage programs are providing opportunities for residents to visit religious sites.
The government has also launched Atal Digital Seva Kendras to provide banking services in rural areas, with 1,460 panchayats already benefiting, and the rest to be included soon.
Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary emphasized the government’s dedication to empowering women and highlighted that this ready-to-eat scheme supports the national goal of creating 3 crore Lakhpati Didis. Women’s groups in Raigarh district, including urban and rural areas and under various project areas, have been selected to distribute ready-to-eat meals in Anganwadi centers.