Odisha Government Considers Millets to Replace Poor-Quality Chhatua in Anganwadis

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida announced that the Odisha government is considering replacing 'chhatua', a traditional food served in Anganwadis, with more nutritious alternatives like millets. The decision comes after objections in the Assembly over the poor quality of chhatua. The government aims to address malnutrition and anaemia among children by providing region-specific foods.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida stated that the state government is considering replacing 'chhatua', a traditional food item served to children in Anganwadis, with more nutritious alternatives such as millets.

Several MLAs had raised concerns in the Assembly about the substandard quality of 'chhatua' being given to children at various anganwadi centres across the state.

Even Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy had instructed Parida to submit a report regarding actions taken against agencies supplying inferior 'chhatua'.

In a media briefing during an event celebrating Nutrition Month-2024, Parida, who oversees the Women and Child Development department, mentioned the existence of regional differences in nutrition, malnutrition, and anaemia.

To tackle this, she said the department is thinking of offering region-specific foods to Anganwadi children, with millets being considered in areas where they are produced.

Parida added that her department would seek feedback from nutrition experts and has already directed district-level officers to act based on the feedback received.

Going forward, the focus will be on providing more nutritious and wholesome food to children to make Odisha a malnutrition-free state, Parida said.

(With inputs from agencies.)