Question : NUTRITION DELIVERY PROGRAMME .



(a) whether the Government proposes to revamp the Nutrition Delivery Programme to check malnutrition;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether any special consideration has been given to North Eastern States particularly Assam; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)

(a) to (d): The problem of malnutrition is complex, multi-dimensional and inter-generational in nature. The approach to dealing with the nutrition challenges has been two pronged: Multi-sectoral approach for accelerated action on the determinants of malnutrition in targeting nutrition in schemes/programmes of all the sectors. As the multi-sectoral approach takes some time to show results and when implemented together, have a trickle down and horizontal effect to benefit the population over a period of time, other part of the approach is direct and specific interventions targeted towards the vulnerable groups such as children below 6 years, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating mothers. The government proposes to restructure ICDS.

The Government is implementing several schemes/programmes of different Ministries/Departments through State Governments/UT Administrations which have a direct or an indirect affect on the nutrition status of the people. The schemes/programmes include the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Mid Day Meal Scheme, Rajiv Gandhi Schemes for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG) namely SABLA, Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojna (IGMSY) as Direct targeted interventions. Besides, indirect Multi-sectoral interventions include Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), National Horticulture Mission, National Food Security Mission, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Total Sanitation Campaign, National Rural Drinking Water Programme etc. All these schemes have the potential to address one or other aspect of Nutrition. Several of the existing schemes/programmes have been expanded / universalized just before or during the Eleventh Five year Plan, hence, the results are likely to be visible after some time.

Several schemes/programmes such as the ICDS have their funding pattern different for the North Eastern States. For ICDS, Centre:State ratio of 90 : 10 is there for the North Eastern States including Assam.