Nitish Kumar orders planting of Jamun,lemon tress to tackle anaemia in Bihar

Patna: In a bid to prevent anaemia and malnutrition among children in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said that lemon and jamun trees be planted at all Aganwadi centres in the state.

Kumar instructed that at least two lemon and jamun (roseapple) trees -- their fruits are known to be of help against anaemia -- be planted at each Aganwadi centre in Bihar, an official statement said here, adding that he also asked them to enhance their civic facilities.

Anaemia is a condition in which there is a deficiency of red cells or of haemoglobin in the blood, resulting in pallor and weariness.

The chief minister, who was reviewing the functioning of the Social Welfare department, also asked that proper toilets and drinking water facilities be ensured at these Aganwadi centres.

He also stressed on a real-time monitoring system for every Aganwadi centre to help in more effective functioning.

Kumar instructed that pensions for the physically handicapped be paid directly in their bank accounts through RTGS transfer. He also said that their accounts should be linked with Aadhaar card.

Secretary of the Social Welfare department, SM Raju, said that Kumar had ordered that people surviving on alms be identified so that they may be rehabilitated. The chief minister also asked for the preparation of a plan for strengthening old age homes, he added.

The review meeting was attended by, among others, Social Welfare minister Manju Varma and Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh.