In a major step towards women empowerment, Uttar Pradesh government has decided to involve women self help groups in distribution of nutrition fortified food for children and pregnant ladies in state. An Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between UP Rural Livelihood Mission and UN World Food Programme for procurement and distribution of Take home rations THR, which are energy dense foods given to kids and pregnant ladies.<br />'' <br />''Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that this will ensure employment of at least one women from every poor rural family. AIR correspondent reports that Take home rations (THR) are micro nutrition fortified foods which are given to children under six years of age and pregnant and lactating women under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). The collaboration will be launched in 204 blocks of 18 districts in the first phase and then extended to cover all blocks in the state's 75 districts. The Self Helo Groups involved in the task have formed micro enterprises which are to be registered as a company, licensed by the department of industries.<br />'' <br />''The company will manufacture THR and take it to designated ICDS centres. Chief Minister said that women from around 3 thousand women self help groups will become entrepreneurs  through this. Each women will get employment of more than 240 working days. An employment generation of more than 7 lakh 20 thousand person days and income of 5 to 7 thousand per person is expected from the scheme. The total business turnover worth Rs 1,200 crore in the 18 districts with is also expected from it.<br />'' <br />''The chief minister said that the initiative will not only ensure distribution of nutritious food to expectant mothers and small children but the economic independence provided by the initiative will help women fight back oppression and violence.<br />