Wheat Based Nutrition Programme

Under the Wheat Based Nutrition Programme (WBNP), foodgrains, viz., wheat, rice and other coarse grains are allocated at subsidized rates under NFSA to the States/UTs through the Department of Food & Public Distribution (Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution), for preparation of supplementary food under Anganwadi Services. Demand under the scheme projected by States based on the number of beneficiaries, number of feeding days and the recipe for nutrition is taken up by this Ministry for processing and approval of proposals from States/UTs for allocation of food grains in coordination with the D/o F&PD. Further, As envisaged in Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Address on 75th Independence Day, Fortified Rice in lieu of standard rice has been allocated to all States/UTs from the 2nd quarter of FY 2021-22 under WBNP to help in fighting malnutrition and anaemia in women and children arising due to deficiency of micronutrients like Iron, Folic Acid and Vitamin B-12.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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AS