(a) whether the Government is aware of the death of tribal children due to malnutrition
in a number of States in the country;
(b) if so, the State-wise number of deaths of tribals reported during the last one year;
(c) whether the Union Government has investigated into the actual cause of these deaths;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the remedial steps taken by the Union Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KANTI SINGH):
(a) No State Government has reported about deaths of tribal children due to malnutrition.
(b) to (d) The question does not arise.
(e) The Government is implementing a number of schemes to improve nutrition and health
status of children including those in tribal areas. For example, 759 Integrated Child
Development Services projects have been sanctioned for tribal areas by the Department
of Women & Child Development. Similarly Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been implementing a Centra)
Sector Scheme of Grain Banks in tribal villages since 1996-97 in 13 States with the objective of
preventing deaths of children in identified backward tribal areas. Department of Family Welfare has
a nation wise programme of Reproductive and Child Health which aims at reducing infant mortality rate,
under-5 mortality rate, maternal mortality rate besides promoting health of children and women.