LONGDING, Jun 23: A review meeting on the implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) schemes and related activities was held at the Longding Deputy Commissioner's Conference Hall here on Monday, with a focus on strengthening food and nutritional security programmes in the district.
The meeting was chaired by Arunachal Pradesh State Food Commission (APSFC) Chairman Tarh Tarak and attended by Deputy Commissioner Kunal Yadav, APSFC member Ngasah Tangjang, ADC-cum-DGRO R K Rai, DFCSO Lige Bam and heads of concerned departments, including Health, Education and Women & Child Development.
Addressing the meeting, Tangjang outlined the objectives of the NFSA, 2013, and explained the role of the State Food Commission in monitoring food and nutrition security schemes while serving as a bridge between the government and beneficiaries.
The DFCSO presented a detailed report on the functioning of Fair Price Shops (FPS) in the district and measures undertaken for monsoon preparedness. Transportation challenges in lifting food grains from the FCI warehouse at Deomali in Tirap district were also highlighted.
Presentations were made by the DMO and DDSE on the implementation of Janani Suraksha Yojana and Poshan Shakti Nirman schemes. The Education Department also shared enrolment figures and the number of schools covered under the Poshan programme.
A special focus was placed on Mission LUNCH (Longding Udyan for Nutrition & Children’s Health), an initiative conceived by DC Kunal Yadav in collaboration with the Education Department and KVK. The programme has helped establish kitchen gardens in schools, promoting the cultivation of seasonal vegetables for improved nutrition among students.
The DDSE highlighted challenges affecting the Mid-Day Meal scheme, particularly water scarcity in some schools and the poor condition of kitchen-cum-store infrastructure.
The Child Development Project Officer briefed the meeting on the implementation of Take-Home Ration schemes for adolescent girls and pregnant and lactating mothers, besides the Hot-Cooked Meal programme for children.
ADC-cum-DGRO R.K. Rai informed the meeting that while grievance redressal cases are being addressed without pendency, staff shortages could pose challenges in the future.
DC Kunal Yadav apprised the Commission of various monitoring mechanisms and best practices adopted in the district to ensure effective implementation of food and nutrition security schemes. He also raised concerns regarding warehouse infrastructure, inadequate incentives for cook-cum-helpers under Poshan schemes, the condition of home-run Anganwadi centres and shortage of personnel in various departments. He suggested rationalisation of FPS distribution from surplus to deficit areas to improve accessibility.
Speaking on the Commission's ongoing statewide tour, Chairman Tarak said the visit was aimed at identifying district-specific challenges in implementing food security schemes. He assured that concerns raised during the tour would be taken up with the government for necessary action.
Concluding the meeting, Tarak thanked all participants for their valuable inputs and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring effective delivery of food and nutritional security benefits in line with the principle of Antyodaya, reaching the most vulnerable sections of society. (DIPRO)