Chandigarh: The Punjab State Food Commission (PSFC) has proposed the creation of a government-owned brand, Punjab Mart, to take the state’s food products to global markets. The proposal has been submitted to the Punjab Government with the aim of giving Punjabi foods an international identity.
Commission Chairman Bal Mukand Sharma, while briefing Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, said the initiative would significantly boost the international promotion of Punjab’s food heritage. He also stressed the importance of strengthening the cooperative sector to generate rural employment, suggesting greater coordination among departments of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Rural Development, Cooperation, and Employment Generation, along with the Punjab Agricultural University and Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies.
The minister encouraged the commission to study best practices from other states to enhance the initiative. He was also informed that nutrition gardens—growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs—have been set up in schools to improve nutritional security.
During the meeting, Mr. Kataruchak reviewed the Mid-Day Meal scheme, Anganwadi centres, and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), which provide care and nutrition for children under six, as well as pregnant and nursing mothers. He also examined the Poshan Abhiyaan programme, which promotes Nutri Gardens or Poshan Vatikas near Anganwadi centres for cultivating fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants.
The minister stressed that the state must ensure quality meals for people, particularly during drought conditions, in line with the Right to Food under Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to live with dignity.
Commission Member Vijay Dutt suggested establishing a centralised War Room at the Chandigarh headquarters to monitor the commission’s activities more effectively.
Those present at the meeting included Chairman Bal Mukand Sharma, Member Secretary Kanu Thind, and commission members Jasvir Singh Sekhon, Vijay Dutt, and Chetan Prakash Dhaliwal.
