Question : DESCRIPANCIES IN SCHEME OF MALNUTRITION

(a) whether pilot projects to provide free good grains to undernourished adolescent girls and pregnant and nursing mothers was launchd in all parts of the country in recent past particularly in the State of West Bengal;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor and the steps taken to wipe out malnutrition and undernourishment;

(d) whether any descripancies have been found in the schemes started by the Government to check the malnutrition among women and children;

(e) if so, the reasons therefor;

(f) whether these schemes have been reconsidered and the Government is contemplating to start a conditional cash payment to promote the education as reported in the “Dainik Jagran” dated September 13, 2006;

(g) if so, whether this scheme is likely to be completed within the remaining period of the 10th Five- Year Plan;

(h) if so, whether such areas have been identified to implement this scheme; and

(i) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI RENUKA CHOWDHURY)

(a)&(b) A pilot project to provide free food grains to undernourished adolescent girls and pregnant and lactating mothers was launched in 51 identified districts only in 2002-03. The project has been modified in the year 2005-06 and it now covers adolescent girls only. Pregnant and lactating mothers have been excluded as they are covered under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme. State-wise list of he districts covered under NPAG is at Annexure-I. In West Bengal, Jalpaiguri and Purulia districts are covered under the Project.

(c) The expansion of the scheme would be considered after an evaluation of impact of the pilot project which is currently underway.

The problem of malnutrition is multi-sectoral and inter- generational in nature which needs to be tackled through coordinated interventions in areas of food security, health, sanitation and safe drinking water, nutrition, family welfare and poverty alleviation.

The other schemes being implemented which, inter-alia, aim at reducing malnutrition include ‘Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) (M/WCD), Reproductive and Child Health Programme and National Rural Health Mission, National Anaemia Control Programme (M/H&FW), National Programme for Nutrition Support to Primary Education (M/HRD), Targeted Public Distribution System (M/CAF&PD), Poverty Alleviation Programme (M/Rural Development).

(d) No, Sir.

(e) Does not arise.

(f) The Working Group on ‘Development of Children’ for the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-2012) is reviewing the existing approach and programmes for children and would recommend suitable initiatives and programmes for the survival, protection, welfare and development of the girl child. Conditional Cash Payment/Transfer has also been deliberated upon in the Working Group. The deliberations of the Working Group will serve as an input for 11th Five Year Plan which ultimately would be approved by the National Development Council/Planning Commission.

(g) No, Sir.

(h)&(i) Does not arise.