(a) the details of the programme of rice fortification being implemented to improve the
nutritional deficiency of the school children under Mid-Day Meal Scheme in
Maharashtra and Odisha;
(b) whether the Government is considering to take forward the said programme to the
other parts of the country and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the time by which the final decision is likely to be taken in this regard and programme
is likely to be introduced?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL ‘NISHANK’)
(a): Government of Odisha implemented the fortification of rice in Gajapati District
between 2012 to 2015. The project used iron base for fortification. Government of
Odisha has sustained the rice fortification project in Gajapati with their own resources
and fortification with multi nutrient fortificant (iron, Zn, B1, B2, B12 etc,) is also
being implemented in Dhenkanal district. In Maharashtra no rice fortification
programme is being implemented under Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS).
(b) & (c): Government of India has approved the Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on
“Fortification of Rice and its Distribution under Public Distribution System”. The
Pilot Scheme has been approved for a period of three year beginning 2019-20. The
Pilot Scheme focuses on 15 districts preferably 1 district per State during the initial
phase of implementation. The operational responsibilities for implementation of the
Pilot Scheme lies with the States and UTs. Ministry of Women & Child Development
and Department of School Education & Literacy have consented to bear the
incremental cost on account of fortification of rice in respect of Integrated Child
Development Services (ICDS) and Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) respectively.
States have been advised to cater to the requirement of ICDS and MDMS besides
requirement of Public Distribution System.
*******