The State government will formulate its first-ever Nutrition Policy to ensure comprehensive nutritional benefits for citizens, CM Sukhu announced while chairing a meeting of the Health Department today.
The Chief Minister said the State is already implementing key nutrition and food security programmes such as the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and the Public Distribution System (PDS). To enhance their impact, nutritional profiling has been identified as a priority to raise public awareness about nutrients, caloric values, and food fortification.
He emphasized that strengthening infrastructure related to nutrition and food testing is essential before finalizing the policy. Accordingly, the Composite Testing Laboratory (CTL) at Kandaghat will be upgraded, and new food testing laboratories will be established across the State. In the first phase, a new laboratory will be set up in Kangra district, with plans to establish regional laboratories in other areas in the coming years.
The Chief Minister informed that the State Cabinet has approved new laboratories in Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, and Baddi (Solan district). An allocation of Rs. 8.50 crore will be made to strengthen the Kandaghat laboratory, while Rs. 25 crore will be released for setting up the food testing laboratory in Kangra.
He also directed the department to ensure adequate manpower for the effective and efficient functioning of these laboratories.
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