Community Kitchen Scheme: Centre forms 'Group of Food Secretaries' to discuss framework

In a meeting with food ministers of state on Thursday, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution Piyush Goyal said that the Centre has constituted a 'Group of Food Secretaries' from states, along with the senior officers of central government to deliberate on the framework of the Community Kitchen Scheme. The minister was addressing the all-India Food Ministers meeting on Thursday.

While announcing the Constitution of Group of Secretaries, Goyal affirmed that a Community Kitchen scheme needs to be prepared—which remains simple, transparent and in the benefit of people. “We should have empathy towards poor of the country and should ensure collective resolve to run successful and transparent food programmes to ensure proper nutrition to children,” said Goyal during his meeting with food ministers.

See Zee Business Live TV Streaming Below:

He said It should be our resolve that quality food grain should reach people who are vulnerable, especially women and children including homeless, slum dwellers, workers on industrial and construction sites.  

Giving credit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Goyal said Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) probably is the world’s largest food programme undertaken during Covid time. "No one in the country was deprived of food grains and all credit goes to our PM. It should be our resolve that quality food grain should reach the right beneficiaries," he said.  

Next meeting at the officers' level shall be held on November 29 to deliberate on the framework proposal.  

Model Community Kitchen Scheme

Talking about the Model Community Kitchen Scheme, he said community kitchen will be of the community, run by the community & for the welfare of the community.  

The Minister urged that it needs to be built on four pillars of Quality, Hygiene, Reliability & Spirit of Service. "It will help us realize the goal that no one sleeps hungry," he added.  

Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Secretary Department of Food and Public Distribution, Sudhanshu Pandey along with Food Ministers and Food Secretaries of various states presided in the meeting.