SCALING UP OF FORTIFICATION OF RICE (PHASE I TO PHASE III)
In order to achieve uniform nutritional impact of fortified rice among the targeted population, the Government of India has approved the supply fortified rice through the FCI and State Agencies in the entire TPDS
and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) including ICDS and PM POSHAN covering all the States and Union Territories in a phased manner.
2. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in its meeting held on 7th April 2022 has approved for the implementation of rice fortification initiative as follows :-
(i) The proposal for supply of fortified rice treating it as a Central Sector Initiative which is to be funded 100% by the Government of India as part of food subsidy in the form of incidental in the Cost sheet for
the period upto 30th June, 2024. Thereafter, a review may be undertaken regarding the cost-sharing pattern of this initiative. The complete implementation of the initiative throughout the country in a phased manner is envisaged below:
Phase-I: Covering ICDS and PM-POSHAN in India all over by March, 2022
Phase-II: Phase I above plus TPDS and OWS in all Aspirational and High Burden Districts on stunting (total 291 districts) by March 2023
Phase-III: Phase II above plus covering the remaining districts of the country by March, 2024
(ii) The cost of the initiative (Incremental cost plus other administrative and contingency cost) after 30th June, 2024 and its sharing, if any, shall depend on the review as mentioned vide Para 2 (i) above.
(iii) Concurrent Evaluation: An effective mechanism for concurrent evaluation shall be put in place using Base-line/Mid-line/End-line data on concurrent basis".
Administrative approval (link is to be given on DFPD website) for "Supply of Fortified Rice throughout the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) under the National Food Security Act (NFSA)
and in Other Welfare Schemes of Government of India in all States and Union Territories (UTs) in a phased manner”
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