Question : MALNUTRITION .

(a) whether the number of children affected by malnutrition in India is reportedly higher than other South Asian countries and if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto;

(b) whether the Government has conducted any survey to ascertain the number of children and women suffering from malnutrition and starvation in the country specially among Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and rural community, if so, the details and outcome thereof, Community and State/UT-wise;

(c) the number of children and women suffering from malnutrition and starvation and reportedly died therefrom across the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(d) the details of the schemes/programmes launched and funds provided by the Government for eradication of malnutrition and starvation among children and women in the country along with the achievements made therefrom during the said period, scheme/programme-wise and State/UT-wise; and

(e) the other corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government to address the issue of malnutrition and starvation across the country?

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

(a): The comparative status of malnutrition in different areas of the world as per UNICEF publication “The State of the World’s Children 2015,” is at Annexure-1.

(b): The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare conducts periodic surveys to ascertain levels of malnutrition and other Health indicators. National Family Health Survey-3

(NFHS-3) is the last survey conducted in 2005-06 which provides the data on nutrition indicators at national level. The State-wise details of malnutrition in children and women are at Annexure - 2 & 3.

(c): Data on the number of deaths in the country is not maintained by this Ministry. However, malnutrition is a multi-faceted problem and is not a direct cause of death but contributes to mortality and morbidity by reducing resistance to infections.

(d): Malnutrition is complex, multi-dimensional and inter-generational in nature, needing convergence of interventions, coordination and concerted action from various sectors. This Ministry is implementing Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Rajiv Gandhi Schemes for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG) namely SABLA, Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojna (IGMSY) as direct targeted interventions.

# The ‘Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG)–‘Sabla’, a Centrally-sponsored scheme, which aims at all-round development of adolescent girls of 11-18 years by making them ‘self reliant.’ At present, the scheme is being implemented in 205 districts from all the States/UTs.

# Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) is a centrally sponsored Conditional Maternity Benefit (CMB) scheme for pregnant and lactating women to improve their health & nutrition status to better enabling environment by providing cash incentives. The scheme is operational in 53 selected districts across the country.

# Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme being implemented by all the State Governments/UT Administrations, through Anganwadi Centers, across the country. The scheme aims at holistic development of children below 6 years of age and pregnant and lactating mothers, including rural women and children, by providing a package of services comprising
(i) Supplementary Nutrition
(ii) Pre-school non-formal education
(iii) Nutrition and Health Education
(iv) Immunization
(v) Health check-up and
(vi) Referral services through Anganwadi Centers at grassroots level.

As per the ICDS data, during 2009-10 to 2013-14, there is a reduction in moderately/ severely underweight children (0-6 years) by 26.55% under ICDS Scheme.

The funds released by the Government of India during the last three years and the current year for these schemes along with achievements are at Annexure 4, 5 & 6.

In addition, a Nationwide Information, Education and Communication campaign against malnutrition was launched during 2012-13. An amount of Rs. 55.69, 84.80 and 20.00 crore was spent for the campaign during the years 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 respectively.

(e): The Government has accorded high priority to the issue of malnutrition and is implementing several schemes/programmes of different Ministries/Departments through State Governments/UT Administrations. The schemes/programmes include National Health Mission, Mid Day Meal Scheme, as direct targeted interventions. Besides, indirect Multi-sectoral interventions include Targeted Public Distribution System, National Horticulture Mission, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Total Sanitation Campaign, National Rural Drinking Water Programme etc. All these schemes have potential to address one or other aspect related to nutrition.

Additionally, in order to strengthen the efforts to address the food security, Government of India has notified the National Food Security Act, 2013. The Act provides for coverage upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of urban population for receiving food grains at subsidized prices of Rs. 3, 2 & 1 per Kg for rice, wheat and coarse grains respectively under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), thus covering about two-third of the population. The Act also has a special focus on nutritional support to women and children.