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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Center suggests distribution of free milk to govt school children in Bihar, TN and Rajasthan -Vishwa Mohan

Center suggests distribution of free milk to govt school children in Bihar, TN and Rajasthan -Vishwa Mohan

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published Published on Jun 26, 2015   modified Modified on Jun 26, 2015
-The Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Center has written to Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan governments, requesting them to consider distribution of free milk to school children as part of the ongoing Mid-Day Meal schemes -- the way Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh have implemented it to raise nutritional level of children.

The Center believes that the move will also help milk cooperatives, largely owned by farmers, by providing "ready and steady market for their produce".

The suggestion was extended to these three states by the Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh who on Wednesday wrote to chief ministers of Bihar, TN and Rajasthan while referring to inputs provided by the department of animal husbandry under his ministry.

The department in its review meeting on "procurement and sale of milk" here on June 15 had observed that there are surplus stocks of skimmed milk powder with different state milk federations and it can properly be utilized by distributing it among school children.

Referring to this observation and citing the practice being followed in many developed countries, Singh in his letter to chief ministers said similar programme may be introduced in states which would encourage children to consume milk and other dairy products (yogurt, cheese and buttermilk) and maintain a balanced diet regime.

He referred to the Karnataka government's project titled "Ksheerabhagya" scheme which was launched during 2012-13. The scheme is aimed at supplying milk to schools thereby ensuring clean and hygienic food to children.

"The scheme continues to progress and give good results. Even the government of Madhya Pradesh had recently launched a similar scheme in the state in which milk will be provided to schools and anganwadis", said Singh in his letter to the chief ministers.

He said, "I would appreciate if your government launches a similar milk programme in the Mid Day Meal scheme, addressing the issue of child malnutrition in the country by utilizing milk powder from the cooperatives which will help in enhancing nutrition of school children as well as improving their retention."

The department of animal husbandry in its review meeting had also observed that the higher stocks of milk products with the cooperatives have resulted in reducing the working capital. It noted that in the interest of farmers and milk producers' of the country, the cooperatives have continued procuring milk but they are working under severe constraint of working capital.

At present, milk contributes close to a third of the gross income of rural households and in the case of those without land it contributes nearly half of their gross income. Further, 90% of farmers have a herd size of 2 or less and 69% of the dairy farmers are small and marginal.

"Introducing school milk scheme would help farmers and milk cooperatives owned by farmers a ready and steady market for their produce", said Singh.


The Times of India, 25 June, 2015, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Center-suggests-distribution-of-free-milk-to-govt-school-children-in-Bihar-TN-and-Rajasthan/articleshow/47819472.cms


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