Raipur: In a major step towards fulfilling another guarantee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chhattisgarh government has launched the Ready-to-Eat (RTE) food production and distribution scheme through women self-help groups (SHGs). Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai officially kicked off the initiative in Raigarh, handing over contract letters to 10 women SHGs. The project marks a significant move towards boosting child nutrition and women’s economic empowerment in the state.
RTE Contracts Handed Over to Women SHGs in Raigarh
In a program held in Raigarh district, Chief Minister Sai distributed contract letters to 10 women SHGs for the production and supply of supplementary nutrition (RTE food) to Anganwadi centres. The initiative, which is being rolled out as a pilot project in six districts, begins with Raigarh as the first to operationalize the scheme.
Dignitaries present at the event included Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary, Raigarh MP Radheshyam Rathiya, Rajya Sabha MP Devendra Pratap Singh, MLA Purandar Mishra, and other local leaders.
Empowering Women, Nourishing Children
Speaking at the event, CM Sai emphasized that this initiative will serve a dual purpose — enhancing nutrition for children and boosting self-employment for women. He described it as a transformational step in achieving both social justice and economic inclusion.
“Women will now provide nutritious meals to children at Anganwadi centres while generating income for themselves. This is a powerful stride toward economic independence for women,” he said.
The scheme is being linked with the PMFME (Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises) scheme, under which the selected SHGs will receive capital subsidies to set up RTE production units.
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Six Districts in First Phase; Raigarh Leads the Way
Raigarh has become the first district where RTE production has formally begun under the new SHG model. The selected SHGs will serve Anganwadi centres across Raigarh Urban, Raigarh Rural, Pusaur, Kharsia, Gharghoda, Tamnar, Lailunga, Mukdega, Dharamjaigarh, and Kapu project areas.
The model will soon be expanded to other districts under phase-wise implementation.
Fulfilling Modi’s Guarantees: A Broader Reform Push
Chief Minister Sai highlighted that most of Prime Minister Modi’s guarantees have already been implemented in Chhattisgarh within the last 18 months. These include:
- ₹3,100 per quintal paddy procurement
- Two years’ pending bonus disbursement
- ₹1,000/month assistance under Mahtari Vandan Yojana
- Tendu leaf collection rate raised to ₹5,500 per standard bag
- Revival of Charan Paduka Yojana
- Launch of pilgrimage schemes like Ram Lalla Darshan and Teerth Yatra Yojana
- Banking Access and Digital Inclusion in Rural Areas
Sai also noted the rollout of Atal Digital Seva Kendras, aimed at bringing banking services to rural citizens at their doorsteps. So far, 1,460 gram panchayats have been covered, with more to follow soon.
“Thousands of mothers and sisters are now accessing secure, simple, and convenient banking services through these digital centres,” he added.
Finance Minister: RTE Initiative Aligned with ‘Lakhpati Didi’ Vision
Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary said the state government is working to realize the vision of creating three crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’ under PM Modi’s mission for women’s economic upliftment.
“The RTE scheme is part of a systematic plan to make women self-reliant. I urge all SHGs to maintain high-quality standards and turn this into a model initiative,” he said.
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