Women SHGs Reassigned Ready-to-Eat Production Work: Another Guarantee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Fulfilled

Raipur, July 10

In line with fulfilling another key guarantee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chhattisgarh government has initiated the implementation of its decision to reassign the task of Ready-to-Eat (RTE) food production to women self-help groups. The initiative has been launched today from Raigarh district. Distribution of Ready-to-Eat food at all 2,709 Anganwadi centers in Raigarh district will now be carried out by Women Self-Help Groups.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai handed over contract letters to 10 women self-help groups during a program held in Raigarh for the production and distribution of RTE food. Present on the occasion were Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary, Raigarh MP Radheshyam Rathiya, Rajya Sabha MP Devendra Pratap Singh, MLA Purandar Mishra, District Panchayat President Shikha Ravindra Gabel, Mayor Jivardhan Chauhan, and District Panchayat Member Sushma Khalkho.

Chief Minister Sai stated that the state government has decided to entrust the preparation and distribution of supplementary nutrition (RTE) for Anganwadi centres to women self-help groups. This task will initially be implemented as a pilot project in six districts. Raigarh has become the first district under this initiative where 10 women SHGs have been issued official contracts.

The Chief Minister said that the women from these groups will now not only provide nutritious meals to children at Anganwadi centres but also generate income for themselves, empowering them economically. This scheme is a significant step toward promoting self-employment among women as well as their social and economic empowerment. Simultaneously, it will play a vital role in improving the nutritional status of children across the state.

CM Sai highlighted that in the last one and a half years, most of the guarantees made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been implemented on the ground. These include the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, procurement of paddy at ₹3,100 per quintal, disbursement of pending bonuses for two years, monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000 to women under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, and the hike in tendu leaf collection rates to ₹5,500 per standard bag. Additionally, schemes like the Charan Paduka Yojana have been revived, while pilgrimage schemes such as Ram Lalla Darshan and Teerth Yatra Yojana are enabling people to visit religious places.

The Chief Minister further informed that Atal Digital Seva Kendras have been launched to ensure banking services reach citizens in rural areas within their own villages. So far, 1,460 gram panchayats across the state have been equipped with these centres, providing thousands of mothers and sisters with access to secure, simple, and convenient banking services. In the coming days, all remaining panchayats will also be connected to this facility.

On this occasion, Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary said that the state government is constantly working to make women self-reliant. In alignment with the national goal of creating three crore “Lakhpati Didis”, the Chhattisgarh government is moving ahead in a planned manner. The Ready-to-Eat scheme is being launched in this direction, and in the first phase, six districts have been included. Raigarh is the first district where contract letters have been distributed to women SHGs. The Finance Minister urged all the selected groups to ensure high-quality work and make this scheme a model for others. He said this initiative will not only empower women economically but will also reinforce the state’s nutrition campaign.

It is noteworthy that 10 women self-help groups have been selected for RTE food preparation and distribution in Raigarh district, and contract letters have been handed over. These groups will receive capital subsidies for setting up RTE production units under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme through the Department of Industries.

The selected SHGs will cater to Anganwadi centres under the Raigarh Urban, Raigarh Rural, Pusaur, Kharsia, Gharghoda, Tamnar, Lailunga, Mukdega, Dharamjaigarh, and Kapu project areas within the district.