TFP Bureau, Raipur, July 10, 2025: In a significant move fulfilling one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s key promises, the Chhattisgarh government has reassigned the production and distribution of Ready-to-Eat (RTE) food for Anganwadi centres to women self-help groups (SHGs). Launching the initiative in Raigarh district, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai handed over contract letters to 10 women SHGs tasked with this vital responsibility.
The program marks a pilot project to be implemented initially in six districts, with Raigarh becoming the first to operationalize it. Under this initiative, the SHGs will manage the supply of nutritious RTE meals at all 2,709 Anganwadi centres in the district, contributing not only to improved child nutrition but also to the economic upliftment of women involved.
Addressing the gathering, CM Sai emphasized that entrusting women SHGs with this role will empower them financially and socially while strengthening the state’s nutrition mission. “This scheme is a crucial step toward promoting self-employment among women and enhancing their socio-economic status,” he said.
The event was attended by Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary, Raigarh MP Radheshyam Rathiya, Rajya Sabha MP Devendra Pratap Singh, MLA Purandar Mishra, District Panchayat President Shikha Ravindra Gabel, Mayor Jivardhan Chauhan, and other dignitaries.
Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary lauded the government’s efforts to make women self-reliant, aligning with the national goal of creating three crore “Lakhpati Didis.” He urged the selected SHGs to uphold quality and set an example for others, highlighting the scheme’s dual benefits for women’s empowerment and child nutrition.
The SHGs will receive capital subsidies for setting up RTE food production units under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme through the Department of Industries. These groups will serve Anganwadi centres across Raigarh Urban, Raigarh Rural, Pusaur, Kharsia, Gharghoda, Tamnar, Lailunga, Mukdega, Dharamjaigarh, and Kapu project areas.
CM Sai also highlighted that the state has implemented many of Prime Minister Modi’s assurances over the past one and a half years, including affordable housing, increased paddy procurement rates, financial assistance to women, and improved wages for tendu leaf collectors, among others.
Additionally, the Chief Minister mentioned the launch of Atal Digital Seva Kendras to provide accessible banking services in rural areas, with 1,460 gram panchayats already equipped and plans to extend this to all remaining panchayats soon.
This landmark initiative represents a major step toward enhancing nutritional outcomes for children while fostering women’s entrepreneurship and self-reliance across Chhattisgarh.
