PM SHRI: CPI(M) state secy admits 'lapse' in not discussing MoU in Cabinet, LDF
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Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan on Sunday admitted there was a "lapse" in not discussing the PM SHRI scheme in the state Cabinet or within the LDF before signing the memorandum with the Centre.
The state government had recently decided to freeze the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Centre under the Prime Minister's Schools for Rising India scheme, following criticism from the CPI, a key ally in the LDF.
Addressing reporters here, Govindan said, "Only one thing we admit—it is true that the Cabinet and the LDF did not discuss it and take a decision. It was a lapse. I have admitted it."
Govindan said he, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and the party’s national leaders had intervened to resolve the issue.
"I have been saying from the beginning that the LDF will discuss all matters, take a decision, and move forward together. That has now proved true," he said.
The CPI(M) leader said the party secretariat and state committee had met earlier in the day. "All preparations for the upcoming elections are complete. The LDF will make gains in all civic bodies in the upcoming polls," he said.
Govindan also hit out at Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan for calling the state government’s claim of eradicating extreme poverty "bogus."
He said the project to identify people living in extreme poverty had begun in 2021, when he was minister for Local Self-Governments.
"There are several civic bodies in Kerala governed by opposition parties. Can he say that those local bodies are making fake claims," Govindan asked.
He urged Satheesan to travel across the state to identify individuals still living in extreme poverty.
"If they find anyone, we will include them in our programme and work to improve their situation," he said.
Govindan said Kerala had achieved this milestone due to the efforts of successive governments since the state’s formation. "In 2021, only 0.5 per cent of the population was found to be living in extreme poverty. States with higher poverty levels may find it difficult to achieve such a feat," he added.
"We can confidently say that Kerala is the first state in the world to eradicate extreme poverty. The only other to do so is China," Govindan claimed.
He also highlighted various welfare measures recently announced by the government, which he said would benefit over one crore people, including women, youth, and senior citizens.
Without any central assistance, the state had increased the monthly welfare pension for 62 lakh beneficiaries from Rs 1,600 to Rs 2,000, he said.
"The election manifesto had promised to raise the monthly pension to Rs 2,500. If the Centre releases the Rs 2 lakh crore withheld from Kerala, we will even raise it to Rs 3,000. Whatever we have promised, we have delivered," he said.
Govindan added that the government plans to provide employment to one lakh people. "How can the Leader of the Opposition (V D Satheesan) acknowledge these achievements? That is why he walked out of the Assembly, calling it a fraud," he said.
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Karnataka issues nutrition advisory for govt events; recommends millets, healthier options
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Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government on Monday issued a nutrition advisory recommending healthier food and beverage options at meetings, functions, and other official gatherings held in the state.
The advisory has been issued by the Department of Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Services to promote healthy dietary and nutritional habits among officials and staff, noting that food, refreshments and beverages served in government offices and official programmes are "often not aligned with nutrition standards."
The advisory recommends serving snacks such as millet-based, low-fat and low-sugar foods, fresh fruits, vegetable salads, sprouts, roasted nuts and seeds during in-house office meetings and breaks.
Beverages such as green tea, low-fat buttermilk, and locally filtered or boiled water served in glass bottles or steel flasks have also been suggested.
According to the advisory, for larger government events, conferences and exhibitions, departments have been advised to include at least one millet-based item during snacks and a minimum of two millet dishes in meals, along with local cuisine and at least one regional recipe.
It also recommends the use of brown rice instead of white rice, freshly prepared vegetable salads, and fresh fruits or low-sugar fruit juices.
If non-vegetarian food is served, it should consist of well-cooked lean or white meat, the advisory stated.
In eateries operating within government office campuses, the department has recommended millet-based foods, fresh vegetable salads, boiled pulses such as horse gram or chickpeas, and low-fat beverages.
It suggests serving food using reusable metal plates and glasses.
The advisory also recommends avoiding microwave-heated food, industrially processed food, fried snacks, high-fat or heavily spiced dishes, carbonated drinks, high-sugar fruit juices, and alcoholic beverages.
It further discourages serving milk-based tea or coffee and plastic-bottled water during official events.
“Overall, hygiene and cleanliness should be maintained while serving food and water. Local cottage industries, self-help groups, prison kitchens, nutri-gardens and others should be preferred for placing food and beverage orders,” the advisory added.
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