Udupi: The ‘Mathru Poorna Scheme’ that was started by the previous government for the nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating women in rural areas will continue under the present government, said Dr. Jayamala, the newly appointed district in-charge minister, Minister of State for Women and Child Empowerment, and Minister for Kannada and Culture Department.
She was speaking to the media on Sunday, August 5, at the IB office here in Udupi, during her first visit to the district after being appointed as Udupi district in-charge minister. The scheme was introduced to help the poor women of the state and although it was not so effective in the D.K., Udupi, Kodagu and Ramnagar districts, the other 26 districts have benefited a lot from the scheme, she said.
“The scheme will be implemented through the anganwadis in the state. Food will be provided for 15 months from the start of the pregnancy till six months after the delivery. This good scheme is needed for pregnant women. If money is given to the women instead of food, the other members in the house might use the money for their own purposes,” she said.
Regarding her appointment as the district in-charge minister, Dr. Jayamala said that she was very happy. “I didn’t expect the post of district in-charge minister. I will do my best. My aim is to make sure that all the projects and schemes reach the people,” she added.
When asked if there would be any issues as all five MLAs in the district were of the BJP, she said that they would all have to work together as the MLAs also have a responsibility to the people.
Former district in-charge ministers Pramod Madhwaraj and Vinay Kumar Sorake, Congress District President Janardhan Thonse, Congress leaders M A Gafoor, Deviprasad Shetty and others were present.
