Nutrition scheme for adolescent girls to continue

New Delhi, Aug 8 (UNI) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCA) today approved a proposal for continuation of the 'Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls'(NPAG) in 2008-09 in 51 districts on a pilot project basis as per existing guidelines by carrying out small changes in them.

The CCA also cleared the release of funds as Central Assistance (on 100 per cent grant basis) to states/UTs out of the alocated amount of Rs 162.77 crore for the year 2008-09, Union Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal told mediapersons after the CCA meeting.

Under NPAG, all under-nourished adolescent girls in the age group of 11-19 years, as identified by the body weight, would be covered, irrespective of the financial status of the family to which they belong.

Free food grains at BPL rates at Rs six kg per beneficiary per month would be provided to the beneficiaries for which two cut off weights--30 kg per month for those below 15 years and 35 kg for those over 15 would be used for identification of beneficiaries.

Besides nutrition and health education, regular check-up and referral services would also be provided to them, if required.

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