Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): The Haryana government is continuing its efforts to improve nutrition among children and mothers through the Mukhyamantri Doodh Uphaar Yojana, a scheme launched in August 2020 to support the fight against malnutrition and anaemia.
Implemented by the state’s Women and Child Development Department, the programme targets children aged one to six years, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. According to a government spokesperson, nutritious food products are distributed through Anganwadi centres across Haryana on two days each week.
The scheme aims to supplement the diets of beneficiaries by providing products containing essential nutrients, including protein and calories, during important stages of childhood development and maternal health.
What Does Haryana’s Mukhyamantri Doodh Uphaar Yojana Provide?
Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive three nutritional products:
- Fortified skimmed milk: A 200 ml serving enriched with essential micronutrients, including vitamins A and D2.
- Instant kheer mixture: A 45-gram pack containing micronutrients.
- Protein milk bar: A 30-gram product intended to supplement nutritional intake.
The products are distributed through Anganwadi centres, which serve as an important channel for delivering nutrition support to children and women.
The government says the products are designed to help meet beneficiaries’ nutritional requirements by providing additional protein, calories and micronutrients. Regular access to such supplements is intended to complement their everyday diets.
Government Claims Improvement In Child Nutrition
According to the government spokesperson, the scheme has contributed to a reduction in underweight and stunting among children in Haryana and has supported efforts to prevent malnutrition and anaemia.
The administration has also said that the distribution of nutritional products has helped improve children’s attendance at Anganwadi centres.
However, the information released by the government does not provide specific figures, a baseline or a time period to quantify the reported decline in underweight and stunting. The extent of the scheme’s impact therefore cannot be independently assessed from the announcement alone.
Underweight refers to a child weighing less than expected for their age, while stunting is associated with impaired growth in height due to prolonged or recurrent nutritional deficiencies and other factors. Both are important indicators used to assess child nutrition.
Focus On Nutrition During Early Childhood And Motherhood
The Mukhyamantri Doodh Uphaar Yojana is intended to strengthen nutritional support during early childhood, pregnancy and breastfeeding. These stages involve important nutritional needs, making access to adequate food and essential nutrients a key public health concern.
Through the programme, the Haryana government aims to reach beneficiaries through the existing Anganwadi network while supporting broader efforts to address nutritional deficiencies.
The government has reiterated its commitment to improving the health and nutritional well-being of children and mothers across the state. The scheme remains part of Haryana’s wider stated focus on promoting healthier childhoods and improving maternal nutrition.
Keywords: Mukhyamantri Doodh Uphaar Yojana, Haryana nutrition scheme, Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana government schemes, child malnutrition, stunting in children, anaemia prevention, Anganwadi centres, maternal nutrition, Women and Child Development Department Haryana
Tags: Haryana News, Government Schemes, Child Nutrition, Maternal Health, Anganwadi, Nayab Singh Saini
