Question : Policy for Child Nutirition

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has been implementing child nutrition policies/schemes in schools and communities to ensure access of children to the healthy and affordable food;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to start a nationwide awareness campaign for improving the health of children while empowering the parents and the care- takers by informing them of healthy food alternatives; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) & (b): Nutrition lies in the domain of Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) including its implementation and policy. With focus on nutrition, the Government is implementing Anganwadi Services under the Umbrella Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme which is implemented by the States/UTs with the objectives to improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age-group 0-6 years; lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child; reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout; achieve effective co-ordination of policy and implementation amongst the various departments to promote child development; and to enhance the capability of the mother to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education.
Under the Scheme six services namely Supplementary Nutrition, Health & Nutrition Education, Pre-school Education, Immunization, Referral Services and Health Check-up are provided at the Anganwadi Centres (AWCs). Supplementary Nutrition is provided to the different categories of beneficiaries, as per the details given below: