Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje unveiled a slew of welfare measures, including extension of the Annapurna milk scheme for schoolchildren, allocation of funds for new infrastructure and interest subsidy on farmers’ loans, after unfurling the national tricolour at the Independence Day function here on Wednesday.
Addressing the gathering at Sawai Man Singh Stadium here, Ms. Raje said September would be celebrated as a “nutrition month”, when awareness about health and nutritional aspect of food would be spread in both urban and rural areas. The free milk distribution in schools for the students of Classes I to VIII along with the midday meals will be extended from three days to all days in the week.
“Children registered in Anganwadi centres in the age group of 3 to 6 years, pregnant and lactating women and teenage girls will also be given milk for three days in a week. The State government will provide ₹100 crore for the plan, in addition to ₹203 crore for the Annapurna milk scheme,” Ms. Raje said.
Ms. Raje, who is at present touring different parts of the State during her ‘Gaurav Yatra’ ahead of the State Assembly elections, called upon the people to extend cooperation to the State government for achieving the goals of development. “Our government has formulated schemes and programmes for public welfare. No aspect of development should be left out,” she said.
New school buildings
The Chief Minister said the State government would spend ₹775 crore on constructing 94 new school buildings and 7,080 additional classrooms in 2,400 schools. Besides, the District Employment Officers will function as the District Skill & Vocational Training Officers to improve employability of youths.