Introduction:

               A pilot project- 'Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls' (NPAG) was launched by the Planning Commission intially for a period of 2 years, i.e. for 2002-03 and 2003-04 in 51 districts in the country. The Government of India has approved the implementation of this scheme on a pilot basis for the year 2005-06. The project will be taken up in 51 districts identified by the Planning Commission in the country i.e.  in the two of the backward  districts in each of  the major states identified on the basis of ranking developed by R.D. Division of the Planning Commission and most populous district (excluding the capital district) in remaining smaller states/UTs.In Haryana,Ambala and Yamuna Nagar were selected for pilot project.

                                          The funds were given as 100 % grant to states so that they can provide food grains through the public distribution system free of cost to the families of identified undernourished adolescent person. Under this scheme 6 k.g. of food grains are given to undernourished adolescent girls weighing less than 35 kg. A provision for Rs 400/- per Anganwadi Centre per annum has been made towards IEC/Training. Also there is a provision for Rs. 200/- per Anganwadi Centre per annum for meeting the other operational costs.
                                             
                                            For the year 2007-08, G.O.I. sanctioned a sum of Rs.124.16 lacs under the scheme.Out of sanctioned amount Rs. 18.07 has been spent.

Special Additional Central Assistance (Nutrition Program for Adolescent Girls) 

            Special Additional Central Assistance, a pilot project is being implemented in Ambala and Yamuna Nagar disricts under which 6 kg of wheat is being provided totally free of  cost to pregnant and nursing mothers with less than 40 kg body-weight and adolescent girls with body weight less than 35 kg through PDS shops for a period of three consecutive months.Those who show improvement in nutritional status and hense cross the cut off point for weight or cross the eligible group (i.e. no longer nursing or crossed 19 years) will no longer receive wheat. Those who in spite of receiving food grains for three consecutive months have not shown improvement in nutritional status will continue to receive free wheat for the next three months.

                There is a budget allocation of Rs 125.12 lacs for the year 2004-05 under this scheme against which Govt. of  India has released a sum of Rs. 79.00 lacs and rest of which is the revalidation of funds to the tune of  Rs 46.12 lacs released during the year 2003-04, is pending with GOI.

                 Under this scheme, 36438 beneficiaries have been identified in both the districts against which wheat has been distributed to 32452 beneficiaries upto Dec.,2004. The Govt. of India has allocated 2624 M.Ts of wheat for the year 2004-05 for both the districts. For distribution, the wheat is being lifted through CONFED from FCI.