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Yogi govt to tackle malnutrition with fortified rice

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The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to start distribution of fortified rice all over the state in the next one year through Public Distribution System (PDS), to address anaemia and deficiency of micro-nutrients in women and children.

Commissioner, Food and Civil Supplies, Sorabh Babu, said: “Fortified rice is being distributed in Chandauli district and Sewapuri block of Varanasi district. In other districts of the state, fortified rice is being distributed in mid-day meals and ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme).

“Taking it to a larger population and to tackle malnutrition, the state government will start the distribution through Targeted PDS (TPDS) in 60 high burden and aspirational districts of the state,” he added.

The state government is preparing an action plan in this regard. By April 2023, it plans to cover the entire TPDS scheme and start distribution to 15 crore beneficiaries of the state.

The Centre’s scheme of distribution of rice fortified with three nutrients (iron, folate, and vitamin B12) has started in Chandauli district on a pilot basis and was launched by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on January 9, 2021.

Malnutrition and lack of essential nutrients in poor women and poor children pose major obstacles in their development.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) defines fortification as “deliberately increasing the content of essential micronutrients in a food so as to improve the nutritional quality of food and to provide public health benefits with minimal risk to health”.

Rice fortification is a process of adding micronutrients to regular rice using extrusion technology. This involves the production of fortified rice kernels (FRK) from a mixture using an extruder machine. The fortified rice kernels are then blended with regular rice or non-fortified rice, typically at a ratio of 1:100 to produce fortified rice.

The benefits of fortified rice include reduction in anaemia, increased levels of haemoglobin, vitamin B12, zinc, and multiple micronutrients.

Maharashtra

Mumbai Police Salary Fraud: Case of fraud registered at Samtanagar Police Station, suspension and dismissal proceedings are also possible

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A salary scam has been revealed in the Mumbai Police Department itself, after which disciplinary action has been taken against two police officers and they have been suspended from service, after which there has been a stir in the police department itself. A salary scam has been exposed in the Mumbai Police Force. Another major action has been taken in this matter. Two police officers involved in this crime have been suspended. A case has been registered at the Samta Nagar Police Station. The then Chief Clerk accused Vijay Chavan and the then Senior Clerk Amul Memram have been suspended from service.

Disciplinary action has been initiated against both of them. In the case registered at the Samta Nagar Police Station, it has been alleged that the salary scam was committed by cheating, preparing fake documents and conspiracy. The order states that both will remain ‘suspended from service’ until the investigation is completed. The suspension orders have been issued by the Joint Commissioner of Police, Administration. It is alleged that non-policemen were involved in the salary scam of crores of rupees by pretending to be police officers. There are serious allegations against the then administrative officers Ram Kishan Goswami, Nagesh Talwadekar, Vijay Chavan and others. It has been claimed that they misused and embezzled government funds by submitting false salary slips. In this case, it is alleged that the government was cheated to the tune of Rs 6 crore 41 lakh 14 thousand 36.

Head Clerk Ajay Rathod and Junior Clerk Amul Meshram are also involved in this case. A case has been registered against the concerned persons under various serious sections including cheating, forgery, preparation of forged documents and destruction of evidence. A legal complaint has been registered under sections 409, 420, 406, 467, 465, 471, 201, 120 (B) and 34 of the IPC.

When did the scam happen?
The scam took place in 2019 and 2020. It is suspected that the scam took place in December 2019 and then in 2020 in the salaries of January, February and then June to September 2020. The investigation has found discrepancies in the salary accounts between 2019 and 2020. A case has been registered against the advertised officers and employees. According to sources, it is suspected that the officers and employees of the administrative and salary departments committed this embezzlement in collusion.

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Maharashtra

Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi demands extension of voter verification deadline in Maharashtra

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Mumbai: Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi met Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S Chokkalingam and submitted a formal memorandum. In it, he urged for extension of the last date for the Special Summary Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll to August 31, 2026. In his memorandum, Azmi highlighted various practical and technical difficulties faced during the voter verification process in various constituencies. The key issues raised include inconvenience to citizens due to heavy rains and additional pressure on staff on election duty. Many Booth Level Officers (BLOs), a large number of whom are teachers, are juggling this dual responsibility along with their regular school duties, which is leading to severe exhaustion. Furthermore, Azmi drew attention to the logistical challenges. He noted that many BLOs live in remote areas such as Raigad, Thane and Borivali, which makes it difficult for them to reach their designated areas. Given the high population of migrants and people from other states in these regions, the process of document and online verification takes time, making it impossible for BLOs to complete the work within the stipulated time. Azami feared that thousands of eligible voters could remain out of the voter list as a result of administrative and technical delays. He has therefore appealed to the Election Commission to intervene immediately and extend the last date, ensuring that all eligible citizens can be enrolled in the voter list.

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National News

Assam flood: Door-to-door damage assessment from August 9

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Guwahati, Aug 4: Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Tuesday assured flood-affected families of comprehensive government support, announcing that officials will undertake a door-to-door assessment of damaged households from August 9 to ensure that relief and rehabilitation benefits reach every eligible beneficiary.

Addressing inmates at a relief camp in Sivasagar district, one of the worst-affected areas in this year’s floods, Sarma said the state government is committed to standing by every affected family until normalcy is restored.

“We are taking feedback from every affected family to see if they have received relief and help. Starting from August 9, our teams will reach every home of the affected families to conduct a ground assessment of the damage,” the Chief Minister said.

He said the survey aims to verify the extent of losses suffered by families and ensure that rehabilitation assistance is provided in a transparent and timely manner.

“I want to assure every flood-affected family in Assam that in this difficult time, the government stands with them at every step. From rehabilitation to restoring life to normalcy, every possible assistance will be provided. Today, in a relief camp in Sivasagar, I reiterated this very resolve,” Sarma added.

The Chief Minister interacted with families staying at the relief camp and reviewed the availability of food, drinking water, healthcare and other essential services.

He also took stock of the ongoing relief operations and rehabilitation measures being carried out by the district administration.

Sivasagar has emerged as the worst-hit district in terms of fatalities during this year’s floods, prompting the state government to intensify relief and rehabilitation efforts in the region.

The Assam government has already initiated restoration of damaged infrastructure, distribution of relief materials and assessment of losses in several flood-affected districts.

Officials said the proposed household survey from August 9 will help prepare a comprehensive database of damages, enabling the administration to expedite compensation, rehabilitation and other forms of assistance for affected families.

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