Milk to children of low income families

By L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

An islandwide program to give a glass of milk to children of Samurdhi and low-income families will be launched during the first week of February.

The main objective of the program is to reduce the cost of living of low-income families and to promote the liquid milk consumption among children to raise their nutrition levels said Secretary to the Ministry of Child Development and Women's Empowerment, M. Sumanadasa.

Around 200,000 children between 2-5 years will benefit by the program, he said.

Director, Children's Secretariat Yamuna Perea said that 200,000 glasses of milk per day will be given for 25 days each month to selected children through government family health workers of each area. The Divisional Secretary of the area has been assigned to implement the program, she said.

A spokesman for the Livestock Development Ministry said that milk production increased by 28 per cent last year due to the incentives given by the Government to milk producers.

He said that milk required for the program will be provided by the National Livestock Development Board (NLDB) Milk Co-operative Societies and the Milk Producers Societies.

The 2009, Budget proposed to give a glass of milk to children of low-income families and Rs. 900 million has been allocated by the Budget for this purpose.