Even kids’ nutrition used to be influenced by liquor mafia: CM Yogi Adityanath

Even kids' nutrition applied to be influenced by liquor mafia: CM Yogi Adityanath The National Nutrition Month.

Key points

• Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union MoS for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur at a stall during the inauguration of 9th National Nutrition Month, in Varanasi, Wednesday.
• According to the chief minister, around 1.90 lakh Anganwadi centres have been sanctioned in the state, with services being provided through 897 Child Development Projects.
• Union Ministers Annapurna Devi and Savitri Thakur were additionally present at the event. © The Indian Express Pvt Ltd.
• Adityanath additionally stated funds had been provided for administration and government-aided inter colleges that were over 40 years old, and around 2, 100 inter colleges had been revived.

Even kids' nutrition applied to be influenced by liquor mafia: CM Yogi Adityanath The National Nutrition Month. It will be observed from September 9 to October 8, is focused on the nutrition, health and care of pregnant and lactating women, children, adolescent girls and their families. By: Express News Service. 3 min read Lucknow Sep 10, 2026 05: 32 AM IST.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union MoS for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur at a stall during the inauguration of 9th National Nutrition Month, in Varanasi, Wednesday. (PTI).

As he introduced the ninth National Nutrition Month in Varanasi, chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday targeted previous state governments, alleging that even the supply of supplementary nutrition meant for children was once influenced by the "liquor mafia".

In practice, the chief minister alleged that ration supplies would not reach Anganwadi centres for three months at a stretch and that facilities such as safe drinking water, toilets and hot meals were additionally lacking.

"A balanced, diverse diet is essential for children's physical and mental development. Avoid excessive salt or sweetness in food. Instead of giving only moong dal khichdi, adding carrots and other vegetables improves the taste, colour and nutrition of the meal. The nutrition campaign will succeed only when children eat their food happily, " he remarked.

According to the chief minister, around 1.90 lakh Anganwadi centres have been sanctioned in the state, with services being provided through 897 Child Development Projects. Nutrition services reach around 1.56 crore beneficiaries every month, he remarked.

While the weight, stunting and health of around 46 lakh children are being regularly monitored, Adityanath remarked, stressing the importance of the first 1, 000 days of a child's life, beginning with pregnancy, around 35.46 lakh children are being provided hot-cooked meals.

Linking nutrition with school infrastructure, Adityanath remarked 1.36 lakh schools had been provided with improved buildings and basic facilities under Operation Kayakalp, with a focus on drinking water, separate toilets for boys and girls and a better educational environment.He stated a study had earlier discovered that the absence of basic facilities, including food, drinking water and toilets, contributed to children, particularly girls, dropping out of school between Classes 3 and 7. Strengthening these facilities had supported improve the situation, he stated.

Taken together, the developments around even kids' nutrition used to be influenced by liquor mafia: CM Yogi point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.