Millets To Be Included In Meals Of Personnel of CAPFs And NDRF: Home Ministry

With millets being promoted and popularised by PM Modi's government, 30% millets will now be included in the meals of personnel of Central Armed Police Forces.

Labourers sew gunny sacks filled with finger millets (ragi) on the outskirts of Bengaluru ( Image Source :Getty )

The  Ministry of Home Affairs announced on Wednesday that millets would be included in the meals of personnel of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), ANI reported. 

"The decision to introduce 30 per cent millets in the meals has been taken on the clarion call of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, after detailed discussion with all the forces," MHA said in a statement.

The United Nations General Assembly, recognising the growing importance of millets, declared 2023-24 as the International Year of Millets. Millets are also called "super grain" due to it being rich in proteins, carbohydrates and fibre.

READ | Millets Are Great For Your Health, But A Millet-Only Diet Is Not. Experts Say Why

In March, the Indian Army said it would make millets an integral part of the daily meals of all its personnel. Millets flour will now be included in the rations of soldiers, almost half a century after these were discontinued in favour of the wheat flour. 

The Army said the decision was taken to ensure that troops were supplied with native and traditional grains, PTI reported.

"With a view to promote consumption of millets in light of the UN declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets, the Indian Army has steered introduction of millets flour in the rations of soldiers. This landmark decision will ensure troops are supplied with native and traditional grains after over half a century, when these were discontinued in favour of wheat atta," the Army said.

"Traditional millet foods with proven health benefits and suited to our geographical and climatic conditions would be a vital step in mitigating lifestyle diseases and enhancing satisfaction and morale of the troops. Millets would now form an integral part of the daily meal for all ranks," it said.

The Army will procure millets flour not exceeding 25 per cent of the authorised entitlement of cereals (rice and wheat atta) in rations for troops commencing from the year 2023-24. Three popular varieties of millets flour -- Bajra, Jowar and Ragi -- will be issued to troops.