Karnataka Food Commission Chief Directs Officials to Strengthen Food Security in Kodagu
In a significant move to bolster food security initiatives, Karnataka State Food Commission chairman H Krishna has issued clear directives to officials in Kodagu district. The instructions were delivered during a comprehensive workshop held at the zilla panchayat hall in Madikeri, focusing on the effective implementation of the Food Security Act across the region.
Strengthening Public Distribution Systems
Chairman H Krishna emphasized the urgent need to strengthen the public distribution system (PDS) throughout Kodagu district. He specifically called for measures to prevent any potential misuse of fair price shops, which serve as critical access points for essential commodities under government schemes. The commission chairman stressed that transparent and efficient PDS operations are fundamental to ensuring food reaches all eligible beneficiaries without delay or corruption.
Enhancing Midday Meal and Nutrition Programs
A substantial portion of the discussion centered on improving nutritional support for students and children. Krishna directed officials to implement the midday meal scheme with greater efficiency, ensuring that students receive maximum benefit from the program. He further suggested distributing supplementary nutritious food wherever assessments indicate additional nutritional requirements among student populations.
The chairman made it unequivocally clear that providing quality, nutritious food to children in Kodagu district represents a non-negotiable priority. He reminded all attending officials that preventing malnutrition among children constitutes their core responsibility under the Food Security Act framework.
Expanding Anna Bhagya Scheme Reach
Krishna highlighted the government's ongoing efforts through the Anna Bhagya scheme, which supplies essential rations with the explicit aim of eliminating malnutrition across Karnataka. He emphasized the critical need to ensure these government programs effectively reach all weaker sections of society in Kodagu, leaving no eligible family behind.
The chairman outlined specific institutional targets for nutritional support, stating that nutritious food must be made consistently available in student hostels, residential schools, and anganwadis throughout the district. He added that maintaining cleanliness in food preparation areas and ensuring timely meal distribution are essential components of successful implementation.
District Administration's Complementary Measures
District Commissioner SJ Somashekar complemented the food commission's directives with additional infrastructure requirements. He emphasized that clean drinking water must be provided in all anganwadis, schools, hostels, and residential institutions across Kodagu. The DC further stated that these institutions should be equipped with adequate basic amenities, including computer facilities, to support comprehensive child development alongside nutritional programs.
The workshop concluded with officials receiving detailed action plans to implement these directives, marking a coordinated push to enhance food security and nutritional outcomes in Kodagu district through strengthened governance mechanisms and improved service delivery.
