Himachal Pradesh to Formulate First-Ever Nutrition Policy: CM Sukhu.
Rs 25 crore sanctioned for Kangra Food Testing Lab; Rs 8.50 crore for strengthening Kandaghat facility.
Shimla:
In a major step towards improving public health and food security, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today announced that the Himachal Pradesh government will formulate the State’s first-ever Nutrition Policy. The policy aims to ensure holistic nutritional benefits for people across all sections of society.
Chairing a meeting of the Health Department here today, the Chief Minister said the State government is already implementing several key nutrition and food security programmes, including the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and the Public Distribution System (PDS). He emphasized that nutritional profiling has become increasingly important to assess the impact of these schemes and to create awareness among citizens about nutrients, caloric values and food fortification standards.
The Chief Minister said that before finalizing the Nutrition Policy, the government is strengthening the basic infrastructure related to nutrition assessment and food testing across the State. As part of this initiative, the Composite Testing Laboratory (CTL) at Kandaghat will be upgraded, and new food testing laboratories will be established in a phased manner.
“In the first phase, a new food testing laboratory will be set up in Kangra district. In the coming years, regional testing laboratories will also be established in other parts of the State,” he said, adding that the State Cabinet has recently approved the proposal to set up new laboratories in Kangra, Mandi, Shimla and Baddi in Solan district.
The Chief Minister announced that the State government will release Rs 25 crore for the establishment of the food testing laboratory in Kangra district, while Rs 8.50 crore will be provided for strengthening and upgrading the Kandaghat laboratory. He also directed the Health Department to ensure the availability of adequate and trained manpower for the efficient functioning of these laboratories.
Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Special Secretary Health Jitender Sanjta, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
