BHUBANESWAR: To reduce the malnutrition rate and ensure development of women in the state, Odisha government today signed an MoU with the Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives (APPI).
As per the agreement with Odisha, the first state chosen by APPI for investing in the sphere of nutrition, APPI would spend about Rs 300 crore towards eradication of malnutrition and development of women in the state over a period of 8-10 years.
The APPI, according to the MOU, would improve the Integrated Child development Scheme (ICDS) delivery system, the flagship programme of the Women & Child Development Ministry.
The MoU was signed in the presence of chief minister Naveen Patnaik and Wipro Group chairman Azim Premji.
"In terms of their commitment to our support for reducing the problem of malnutrition in Odisha, I think that commitment will be going very far in terms of the success of this project. I was very pleased to learn that you have been appointing nodal officers in each of the four key departments which have to work with us. We will be able to get a concerted end output in terms of what we achieved," Azim Premji said.
Reacting on the signing of the MoU, the chief minister said, "I am very thankful to Mr Premji for extending his philanthropic endeavour by choosing Odisha as the first state to invest in the area of nutrition."
Patnaik said it is an honour to have Premji work with Odisha to reduce malnutrition for the cause and commitment for saving lives of children and improving the health of women.