Gandhinagar, July 17: In a significant move to combat malnutrition in Gujarat’s tribal and remote areas, the state government, under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has expanded the ‘Milk Sanjeevani Scheme’ to all tribal ICDS blocks. This initiative aims to integrate marginalized communities into the developmental mainstream.
The state’s Department of Women and Child Development has approved a proposal to extend the Milk Sanjeevani Scheme to the remaining 53 ICDS blocks in tribal districts. Additionally, a pilot project for high-fat fortified milk has been greenlit, ensuring that more children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers in tribal areas receive nutritious milk.
Launched on December 24, 2009, by then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi in just six tribal districts, the scheme initially provided beneficiaries with 200 milliliters of fortified flavored milk.
Over five years, the scheme expanded from six to twenty districts. The initiative, aimed at reducing malnutrition rates among children and mothers, saw positive outcomes, leading to its continuous growth. By 2014, 14 additional tribal districts were included, and from 2016, cooperative dairies began supplying fortified milk, enhancing the scheme’s effectiveness.
Currently, the Milk Sanjeevani Scheme operates in 20 districts, including Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, and Surat, among others. However, the remaining 53 ICDS blocks had yet to be included.
The proposal from the ICDS Commissioner’s office has now been approved, allowing the inclusion of these 53 blocks and raising the fat content of the milk provided to 4.5 percent (9 grams). This expansion will bring thousands of new beneficiaries into the fold, ensuring equal access to nutrition in tribal areas.
Moreover, the proposal introduces new quality standards for the milk. Previously, the fortified milk contained 1.5 percent fat. The pilot program will now provide higher fat milk in selected districts: 3 percent in Narmada, Dahod, and Dangs, and 4.5 percent in Valsad and Sabarkantha. This increase in fat content will better meet the physical development and nutritional needs of children.
The state government has allocated approximately ₹37.709 crore for this expansion, with an additional ₹0.3035 crore for the high-fat pilot project, fully funded by the state.
To maintain transparency in the scheme’s implementation, all processes will be digitized. Necessary purchases will be made through the GEM portal, financial assistance will be provided via the DBT method, and regular social audits and third-party verifications will be mandatory. This ensures that the benefits reach the intended recipients effectively.
Thus, the Milk Sanjeevani Scheme is not merely a milk distribution initiative; it represents a long-term investment in the health of Gujarat’s future generations. By addressing malnutrition, improving maternal and child health, and ensuring equal nutritional opportunities in tribal areas, the scheme has entered a new phase. With its expansion to all ICDS blocks and the introduction of high-fat milk, the Gujarat government reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that no child’s future is compromised due to nutritional deficiencies.
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