Date:13/11/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/11/13/stories/2003111307290400.htm

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Noon meal to include curry leaf powder

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI Nov. 12. The Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, today ordered inclusion of curry leaf powder and drumstick leaf powder in the noon meal being given to children in anganwadies.

The inclusion will help eradicate ``Vitamin A'' deficiency among children between 3-5 years. Each child will be given two grams of either curry leaf powder or drumstick leaf powder for five days in a week along with the meals. To start with the scheme will be implemented in two unions in Theni, Kancheepuram, Vellur, Tiruvannamalai, Cuddalore and Perambalur districts at a cost of Rs. 22 lakhs per annum. The scheme is being implemented by the Tamil Nadu Women's Development Corporation.

The Chief Minister also released the nutrition policy to make Tamil Nadu a malnutrition-free State. The Social Welfare Minister, B. Valarmathi, received the first copy of the policy. The Chief Secretary, Lakshmi Pranesh, and the vice-chairman, State Planning Commission, M.S. Swaminathan, were present.