Question : Global Nutrition Report

(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of India’s position in the 2020 Global Nutrition Report which highlights that India is off course to meet the global nutrition targets for all indicators;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) if not, the reason for not taking cognizance of the report;
(d) the present status of the Government’s commitment of ending malnutrition by 2030 across the country through the sustainable development goals;
(e) the rise reported in malnutrition cases due to COVID-19 Pandemic in the country, State/UT-wise; and
(f) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to tackle the continuing challenge of malnutrition along with the achievements thereof?

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)


(a) to (f) Government has accorded high priority to the issue of malnutrition and is committed to improve nutrition outcomes in the country and implements Anganwadi Services, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and Scheme for Adolescent Girls under the Umbrella Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS) as targeted interventions to address the problem of malnutrition in the country.

Further, to strengthen nutritional content, delivery, outreach and outcomes with focus on developing practices that nurture health, wellness and immunity and to achieve the sustainable development goals, steps have been taken to improve nutritional quality and testing in accredited labs, strengthen delivery and leverage technology to improve governance. Government has advised States/UTs to ensure that the quality of supplementary nutrition conforms to prescribed standards laid down under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and regulations made thereunder. States/UTs have been advised to promote use of AYUSH systems for prevention of malnutrition and related diseases. A programme to support development of Poshan Vatikas at Anganwadi centers to meet dietary diversity gap leveraging traditional knowledge in nutritional practices has also been taken up.


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