Himachal Pradesh to Form State Nutrition Policy; Kandaghat Lab to Get World-Class Technology: CM Sukhu.
Shimla:
Himachal Pradesh is set to take a major step toward improving public health with the formulation of a State Nutrition Policy, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced today while chairing a review meeting of the Department of Health Safety and Regulation. The policy aims to ensure the availability of balanced and nutritious food for vulnerable groups, including children, adolescent girls, and expectant and lactating mothers.
The Chief Minister said the composite testing laboratory at Kandaghat would be upgraded with world-class, high-end technology to ensure precise food analysis and greater operational efficiency. In the first phase, regional laboratories will be established at Baddi, Mandi, Kangra, and Shimla, with plans to expand similar facilities to all districts in the second phase.
“To strengthen nutritional surveillance, food items will be tested, and their nutritional content will be profiled and mapped,” CM Sukhu said. He emphasized that regular testing will be carried out for food provided under government schemes such as the Public Distribution System (PDS), Anganwadi services, and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. Additionally, mobile testing vans will be deployed for awareness generation, capacity building, and training, expanding the department’s outreach across the state.
To make departmental functioning efficient and time-bound, the Chief Minister directed the adoption of modern information technology and complete digitization of all processes. He instructed the department to develop a state portal for the digital execution of activities, including food sample collection and test result dissemination. A State Nutrition Database will also be created to centralize information and monitor progress.
Expressing concern over deficiencies in nutritional content and the presence of pesticides contributing to rising diseases, CM Sukhu highlighted that the government is addressing both issues through effective solutions. He noted that natural farming is being promoted, and farmers are being incentivized under various government schemes.
The Chief Minister also stressed that the state government is continuously strengthening the health sector, including adopting world-class standards in medical education, establishing ICUs in every medical college, and ensuring hospitals maintain a global-standard doctor-patient ratio.
Senior officials present at the meeting included Director DDTG Dr. Nipun Jindal, Special Secretary (Health) Ashwani Sharma, and Director of Health Safety and Regulation Jitender Sanjta.
This initiative marks a significant step toward ensuring nutrition security, food safety, and public health in Himachal Pradesh.
