The Government has approved Rs. 5,99,87,435/- for Micronutrient Malnutrition Control Project, Phase-II for West Bengal. The West Bengal Government has been implementing this project with the assistance of an International NGO Micronutrient Initiative (MI) since 1999.
In view of the good results shown by this project, the Ministry of finance had received a request from the Government of West Bengal, recommended by Department of Women and Child Development for the implementation of phase II of the project during April 2004 to March 2006, with the proposed further assistance of nearly Rs. 6 crore from the Micronutrient Initiative. The total assistance from Micronutrient Initiative during Phase-I was Rs. 8,34,90,000/-.
The implementation of Phase-II of the project will focus on the following activities:
Wheat flour fortification in 3 hilly sub-divisions in Darjeeling Sadar, Kalimpong, and Kurseong.
Food Fortification (Khichri) in 5 districts and one sub-division, viz. Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Malda, Uttar Dinajpur, Siliguri and South 24 Paraganas Sub-division.
Fortified candies in two districts, i.e Howrah and Dakshin Dinajpur.
Activities pertaining to monitoring and evaluation consisting of base line and end-line surveys, training, and information education and communication.