Minister Lakshmi Rajwade Reviews Progress of Malnutrition-Free Chhattisgarh Campaign

Special review meeting held to accelerate the Malnutrition-Free Chhattisgarh Campaign

Progress of the special campaign underway in Dantewada, Sukma, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Surajpur, Jashpur, Balrampur, and Surguja districts reviewed

Special emphasis laid on Nutrition Gardens, supplementary nutrition, and regular monitoring

Raipur, June 2026 : Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Rajwade conducted a detailed review meeting with District Programme Officers (DPOs) from eight districts to assess the progress of the special campaign being implemented to make Chhattisgarh free from malnutrition. The meeting reviewed the condition of severely malnourished and moderately malnourished children, nutrition rehabilitation efforts, and the effective implementation of departmental schemes.

Minister Rajwade informed the officials that the Malnutrition-Free Chhattisgarh Campaign is being implemented in the districts of Dantewada, Sukma, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Surajpur, Jashpur, Balrampur, and Surguja. She stated that a special strategy focusing on nutrition services, community participation, and continuous monitoring is being adopted to address the challenge of malnutrition in these districts.

During the meeting, the Minister directed officials to plant nutrient-rich crops such as banana, papaya, drumstick (moringa) and other nutritious plants wherever adequate land is available. She also instructed that Nutrition Gardens (Poshan Vatikas) be developed at every Anganwadi centre. She said that locally available nutritious food items could serve as an effective means of improving the nutritional status of children and women.

The Minister laid special emphasis on ensuring the availability of supplementary nutrition, maintaining quality Anganwadi services, conducting regular inspections, and effectively operating Suposhan Pathshalas (Nutrition Education Centres). She directed officials to ensure the timely supply of nutritious food to children and to regularly analyse the data of SAM (Severe Acute Malnutrition) and MAM (Moderate Acute Malnutrition) children to achieve timely improvements in their nutritional status.

Mrs. Rajwade said that the fight against malnutrition cannot be confined to departmental programmes alone. It requires public participation, community support, and better coordination among various departments. She urged officials to adopt a target-oriented approach and ensure that nutrition services reach every eligible child.

Expressing confidence in the campaign, the Minister said that the goal of making Chhattisgarh malnutrition-free can be achieved more rapidly through effective monitoring, innovation, community participation, and coordinated efforts by all concerned departments.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department, Mrs. Shahla Nigar, Director Dr. Renuka Srivastava, and other departmental officials.