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A revised scheme was approved by the Maharashtra government on 3 November 2015 for both expecting and lactating tribal women in the State. The scheme is named as APJ Abdul Kalam Amrut Yojna.

Details of the APJ Abdul Kalam Amrut Yojna scheme

• A full hot nutritious meal will be offered through the scheme to every lactating mother and pregnant lady.
• The scheme is scheduled to be rolled out from 15 November 2015.
• Estimated cost to the state exchequer is Rs 75 crore per annum.
• The scheme is expected benefit nearly 1.9 lakh women in the first year.
• Planned to be implemented through anganwadis.
• Estimated cost of each meal is Rs 22.

Highlights of the scheme:

• Food to be provided for six months.
• Free hot cooked meal will be considered.
• Food would be provided from Third trimester of pregnancy to three months after the delivery.
• Meal to include rice, pulses, fruits, vegetables and occasionally milk.
• The scheme would be implemented by tribal women, Anganwadi workers, and local meal committees.
• An amount of Rs 10 crore would be spent by Women and Child Welfare Department as stipend to anganwadi workers.
• In every tribal village, a meal committee of four members will be constituted, across 16 districts.
• The committee would be headed by a woman panchayat member, along with two lactating mothers or pregnant ladies and an anganwadi worker.

The main idea behind the implementation of the yojna is to ensure the benefit of the babies during the lactation period. This is to eventually help in curbing malnutrition among tribal children.

-Sumana