Bangalore:
A new food programme would be introduced for children in Anganwadi Kendras in Karnataka keeping in view local tastes and habits, Women and Child Welfare Minister C C Patil said today.
The new programme would be launched in Mysore this week and 45 taluks would be covered in the first phase, the Minister told reporters here.
Patil also said he would soon meet Union Women and Child Welfare Minister Krishna Tirath seeking to enhance central grant to each mid-day meal for such children by Rs three.
At present, Rs 4.5 is being spent per meal, including the central grant of Rs two. There is a need to make the meals more nutritious, Patil added.
"Spirulina" dietary supplements are being given to children in ten Anganwadi Kendras in Tumkur district on a pilot basis, and if studies proved that they were effective, the programme would be extended to other centres, he said.
Patil, who is also in-charge Minister of Gadag, said 2.5 lakh quintals of onion had been procured from farmers the district following dip in its prices.
A sum of Rs two crore had been released for onion procurement in the district, and another Rs 2.5 crore would be released in a day or two.A total of Rs six crore would be released within a week, he said denying charge by some Opposition leaders that the farmers had not been paid for their produce.
"All farmers will be paid within a week", he said.