As many as 450 Phulwaris will soon be started in tribal areas of the State, especially in the backward-dominated tribal areas. This was discussed in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Tribal Welfare Minister Omkar Singh Markam at the Mantralaya on Tuesday.

Principal Secretary Tribal Welfare Department Deepali Rastogi and Principal Secretary Women and Child Development Anupam Rajan were also present in the meeting.

Tribal Welfare Minister Markam sought information about the arrangements related to nurturing the Phulwari. He issued instructions that there should be a strong system of monitoring the quality of nutritious food being given to children between 6 months and 3 years in Phulwari. The representative of the voluntary organization “Jan Swasthya Sahyog” running the Phulwari said that children under 3 years are more prone to malnutrition. The children of this age are more prone to various diseases.

The Phulwari is being started for prevention from all this. About 10 to 12 children are registered in each Phulwari.

About 450 Phulwaris will be started at Special Backward tribe dominated areas in 5 districts including Mandla, Dindori, Umaria, Shahdol and Anuppur in collaboration with the Tribal Welfare Department.

It was informed at the meeting that one Nutrition Coordinator, 6 supervisors and 150 Phulwari workers will be employed in 75 Phulwaris. In this arrangement, the health of the children will be examined every week and their weight will be checked once a month. Currently 75 Phulwaris are being operated in Anuppur district in collaboration with the District Mineral Foundation and

National Health Mission. Phulwaris have improved the health of children between 6 months and 3 years in these areas.

Monitoring of Phulwari operating in Special Backward tribal areas will be done through Women and Child Development and the Tribal Welfare Department will provide the required financial help.

Nutritious diet to be given to the children was also discussed in the meeting.