whether the scheme Poshan launched by the Government is an addition in to present Anganwadi Scheme;
(b) if so, the mechanism adopted for the implementation of Poshan scheme;
(c) whether the Poshan scheme is a replacement of all other similar schemes implemented in the past related with malnutrition; and
(d) whether the Government has fixed any responsibility of nodal agency implementing the Poshan scheme and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a) to (d) Government is implementing POSHAN Abhiyaan (earlier known as National Nutrition Mission ) since 18th December 2017 to address the problem of malnutrition in the country with an overall budget of Rs. 9046 crore. All 37 States/UTs have been covered in the Abhiyaan. The goals of POSHAN Abhiyaan are to achieve improvement in nutritional status of Children from 0-6 years, Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers in a time bound manner during the three years with fixed targets as under:
S.No Objective Target
1. Prevent and reduce Stunting in children (0- 6 years) By 6% @ 2% p.a.
2. Prevent and reduce under-nutrition (underweight prevalence) in children (0-6 years) By 6% @ 2% p.a.
3. Reduce the prevalence of anemia among young Children(6-59 months) By 9% @ 3% p.a.
4. Reduce the prevalence of anemia among Women and Adolescent Girls in the age group of 15-49 years. By 9% @ 3% p.a.
5. Reduce Low Birth Weight (LBW). By 6% @ 2% p.a.
The Abhiyaan aims to reduce malnutrition in the Country in a phased manner, through a life cycle approach, by adopting a synergised and result oriented approach. The major works undertaken under this Abhiyaan are ensuring convergence with various schemes/programmes; incentivizing States/ Union Territories for achieving targeted goals; Information and Communication Technology enabled Integrated Child Development Services-Common Application Software (ICDS-CAS) for strengthening service delivery and interventions; Setting up of National Nutrition Resource Centre (NNRC) at National level and State Nutrition Resource Centre (SNRC) in each State/Union Territory; Behaviour Change Communication, Awareness Advocacy and Information Education Communication; Jan Andolan through Community mobilization to educate people on nutritional aspects; Innovation; Strengthening human resource; measuring height and weight of children below six years of age for early detection of stunting, underweight and wasting; Training & Capacity Building of frontline functionaries. POSHAN Abhiyaan and Anganwadi Services Scheme are mutually complementary schemes and support each other.
A National Council on India’s Nutrition Challenges has been constituted for policy direction, review, and effective coordination and convergence between Ministries under the Chairmanship of Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog. An Executive Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development has been constituted for providing direction, policy and guidance for implementation of various programmes/schemes under the POSHAN Abhiyaan. POSHAN Abhiyaan is implemented through National Nutrition Resource Centre (NNRC) at the National level and State Nutrition Resource Centre (SNRC) at State/Union Territory level. NITI Aayog closely monitors the status of implementation of POSHAN Abhiyaan.
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