Ranchi, July 31 (IANS) Iodised salt would be provided at a subsidised rate of 50 paisa per kg for 35 lakh poor families in Jharkhand, Chief Minister Arjun Munda announced Sunday.

‘We have directed officials to complete the process to start the scheme of providing iodised salt at 50 paise per kg to 35 lakh poor families from August,’ Munda told reporters here.

The Jharkhand government has made provision of Rs.40 crore for the scheme.

At present, Jharkhand is providing 35 kg rice to below poverty level (BPL) families at Re.1 per kg. It is also providing 20 kg rice at the same rate to 11.50 lakh poor families not recognised as BPL by the central government.

The state government is launching a scheme to provide lunch to poor people at Rs.5, at 100 centres in the state from Independence Day (Aug 15).