Karnataka CM Announces Free Meals For Pregnant Women Across The State

On the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s 148th birthday, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah announced the start of Maatru Poorna – a scheme to provide free hot food and nutrients for new and expectant mothers in an attempt to boost their nutrient levels.

According to a tweet posted by CM Siddaramaiah, the new scheme will provide one nutritious meal a day which will include rice, lentils, green leafy vegetables or sambar with boiled eggs, peanut chikki and 200ml of milk for 25 days in a month.

Meal consists of rice, dal, green leafy vegetables or sambar with a boiled egg, a peanut chikki & 200 ml of milk for 25 days in a month

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) 2 October 2017

Siddaramaiah said that Maatru Poorna would raise the health and nutrition levels of around 1.2 million expecting and nursing mothers, and would be available in 30 districts in the state.

While many are touting Maatru Poorna as a ‘populist scheme’ in order to ensure Siddaramaiah’s popularity ahead of next years state elections, it is a welcome move. Malnutrition and a lack of education are two of the foremost reasons for India’s high infant mortality rate. If Maatru Poorna is implemented correctly, it could serve as a case study for future development across the nation.