Maha: Healthy food and balanced menu mandatory in govt meetings and canteens

Mumbai, Sep 2 (AHN) The Maharashtra Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has taken a decision to make healthy snacks and meals mandatory in government and semi-government meetings, official events, and canteens.

The initiative emphasises providing balanced and nutritious food to government officers and employees during meetings, events, and training sessions, officials said on Tuesday.

Instructions will be issued to all departments to ensure that healthy lifestyle habits and nutritious food become an integral part of government employees' daily lives.

Healthy food options will now be included during meetings, events, training institutes, conferences, and official canteens.

Priority will be given to nutritious items such as seasonal fruits (bananas, apples, guavas, papayas), boiled eggs, boiled sprouts, poha, idli-sambar, hot milk on demand, unsweetened green tea, ragi (nachni) bhakri, jowar-bajra bhakri, buttermilk, salads, and a variety of vegetables, lentils, and legumes, the government statement said.

The policy focuses on reducing oily and heavily processed food items during tea breaks and snacks, while promoting nutrient-rich local and traditional foods.

Lunch and dinner menus will systematically include lentils, legumes, leafy vegetables, buttermilk, salad, and balanced grains as required.

Inclusion of this healthy menu will be made mandatory in all new catering contracts across relevant offices.

Before implementing these measures, government and semi-government bodies have been advised to consult with their employees regarding health-conscious practices.

Additionally, organisations are expected to create awareness among staff regarding healthy living and balanced diets, and to formulate standard guidelines for menu planning.

Guidelines provided by ICMR-NIN (Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Nutrition) may be referred to while finalising these healthy menus.

The Mantralaya canteen has already initiated this change by offering healthy options like fruits, boiled eggs, boiled sprouts, poha, idli-sambar, hot milk, and green tea. This shift has successfully reduced the proportion of oily snacks served, replacing them with nutritious meals featuring lentils, legumes, leafy greens, buttermilk, salad, and vegetable pulav.

Meanwhile, in a major push to urban mobility and regional connectivity, the Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the Rs 1020.50 crore four-lane elevated corridor between Juna Pune Naka and Boramani Naka as a "Vital Public Project".

To ensure rapid execution, the state government has approved the transfer of land held by various government departments to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) free of occupancy charges.

The directive comes following instructions from CM Fadnavis to clear procedural delays and expedite the project.

After assessing the urgency and logistics, the proposal was submitted and formally approved on Tuesday.

The project is expected to dramatically streamline local traffic within Solapur city as well as interstate transit.