Jai Ram Thakur flags off Him Annapurna Food Van

Shimla : Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today flagged off Mobile Kitchen ‘Him Annapurna Food Van’ under the State Rural Livelihoods Mission of the Rural Development Department from Oak Over here today.This food van was being operated by a self-help group, which would provide employment opportunities to women besides strengthening their economy.Chief Minister said that traditional cuisine would be served in this food van which would be operationalized by women only. He said that out of the total cost of Rs. 1.50 lakh for the Food Van, 50 percent amount would be provided to women from the Community Investment Fund provided under the State Rural Livelihoods Mission, whereas the remaining 50 percent amount would be provided by the department under Corporate Social Responsibility Fund.Jai Ram Thakur said that this Food Van was flagged off from Shimla on a pilot basis and in future would also be launched in other districts of the State.This initiative would help in realizing Prime Minister’s dream of ‘Self-reliant India’ and would also provide employment opportunities to women self-help groups, he added.Secretary Rural Development Sandeep Bhatnagar, Deputy Commissioner Shimla Aditya Negi were also present on the occasion among others.