2015 | CAG CHANDIGARH

Press Release on Food Fortification – A DRIVE AGAINST MALNUTRITION

INDIAN GOVERNMENT, ASSISTED by international agencies and non-governmental organizations and industry, have for many decades taken steps to eliminate or reduce micronutrient deficiencies. Building on the impressive results of the reduction in iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) through the fortification of table salt with iodine, vigorous efforts are currently being made to address other micronutrient deficiencies through the fortification of appropriate foods.
The term “food fortification” means the addition of nutrients at levels higher than those found in the original food. Fortification is synonymous with enrichment. Restoration means that nutrients are added to a food to compensate for the loss of nutrients during processing. Generally, food fortification is undertaken at the industrial level, although food fortification can also take place at the household or community levels.
Mass fortification refers to the addition of micronutrients to foods commonly consumed by the general public (such as cereals and condiments), which is instigated, mandated and regulated by the government sector. Universal fortification refers to the fortification of foods consumed by animals as well as humans, with iodization of salt as the main example. Targeted fortification programs also exist, for example the distribution of biscuits fortified with a certain number of vitamins and minerals in school food programs. Furthermore, fortification of some foods (e.g. wheat flour) with specific nutrients at specific levels may be either mandatory (legislated through governments) or voluntary.
To support this humanitarian effort Consumer VOICE along with CII-FACE and GAIN (Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition) have undertaken a massive all India campaign to educate and involve all the stakeholders by holding consultations in all the State Capitals and Union Territories.
In this series, Stakeholders Consultation on Food Fortification is being held –

In Panchkula, Haryana on 22nd June
In Mohali, Punjab on 23rd June
In Chandigarh on 24th June

You are cordially invited to be part of this consultation and also to provide widest publicity to this “Drive against Malnutrition”.
Consumer VOICE

Chandigarh 28 May

Chandigarh Management Association (CMA) organized an Education summit on its 48th Foundation Day today at PHD Chamber, Sector 31, Chandigarh. The theme of the event was “Skill Development in India-Challenges & Opportunities”. His excellency, Sh. Kaptan Singh Solanki, Governor, Haryana & Punjab was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Mrs Kirron Kher, MP, Chandigarh; Sh. Rakesh Verma IAS, Secretary, Technical Education; Mr. K.K Kataria, Director, Technical Education, Haryana were the Guests of Honour on the occasion. Dr. Anshu Kataria, President, CMA and Chairman, Aryans Group of Colleges presided over the event.

Dr. Anshu Kataria in his inaugural speech welcomed all the dignitaries on the occasion. He said that since CMA is 48 years old association but still it does not have its own office. He demanded a piece of land or space in any of the Government office in Chandigarh for its operation.

His Excellency, Sh. Kaptan Singh Solanki in his key note address congratulated CMA on its 48th Foundation day. He congratulated Dr. Anshu Kataria, President, CMA to complete his tenure as one of the youngest, Dynamic and Enthusiastic President of the oldest association twice.

Speaking on the topic he highlighted the need of Modi’s 3D formula i.e democracy, demography, demand and 3S i.e Skill, Scale and Speed. He added that more than 700 million Indians are estimated to be of working age by 2022. Out of these, more than 500 million require some kind of vocational or skill development training.

Mrs. Kirron Kher while speaking on the occasion stressed upon developing an appropriate training system instead of teaching syllabus only in all academic institutions and universities for a better growth and sustainable skill development in all spheres of the nation. Also she accentuated that “Skill India & Happy India” will be a better way to give a pleasant smile on the face of our nation.

Sh. Rakesh Verma IAS, Secretary, Technical Education & Industrial Training said that the Punjab state government has aimed to skill 300,000 youth mentioned 2014-15 budget with over Rs. 500 crore. India is expected to grow at a rate of 8%, on an average, in the next 10 years. He strained upon the need of harness the human capital with the requisite set of skills in both fields information related to job and ethics.

Dr. Anshu Kataria, President, CMA and Chairman, Aryans Group of Colleges highlighting the issue said that Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi had in his maiden Independence Day speech invited companies across the world to make their products in India and create jobs in the labour-intensive manufacturing sectors.

Kataria further added that the ministry aims to open 1,500-2,000 centres in the next two years and the entire cost of the programme is likely to be Rs.1,500 crore to Rs.2,000 crore a year, well within the budget allocation of the rural livelihood mission, which was Rs.4,000 crore.

At the end of the occasion, knowledge partners S. Gurfateh Singh, Adesh Group of Institutions; S. Gurpreet Singh, Universal Group; Mr. Anoop Bansal, Gulzar Group of Institutions; Service Partner, Mr. Neeraj Sood, Director, Loyal Hut were honoured by the Governor on the occasion.

Mr. J. N. Vohra, Joint Secretary was the moderator of the event. Among Past Presidents, CMA: Mr. Karamjit Singh, Mr. PK Vasudeva, S. Charanjit Singh, Mr. Satish Kapoor, Sh. Gurdeep S. Deep were present. Apart from others Mr. J.S. Nayyar, Vice President; Mr. R.K. Nayyar; Dr. Ashwani Vig; Col. M.G.S Khurana; Anil Kumar Arora etc. were also present on the occasion.