Question : NATIONAL NUTRITION MISSION

(a) whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the news-item captioned \ldblquote National nutrition Mission on anvil\rdblquote appearing in the `Hindu\rquote , dated 7 March, 2000;

(b) if so, the details in this regard;

(c) whether it is possible for the State Governments alone to address the issue of malnutrition and food security due to its gigantic proportions;

(d) if so, the steps taken by the Union Government in this regard with particular reference to ensuring contribution of voluntary sector, international agencies and community participation in particular; and

(e) the number of persons dying every year due to malnutrition?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SUMITRA MAHAJAN)

(a)&(b) Yes, Sir. The proposed National Nutrition Mission aims at addressing the problem of malnutrition through :

(i) Vigorous awareness campaign on malnutrition,

(ii) Direct interventions in districts with high malnutrition and

(iii) Nutrition monitoring, mapping and surveillance.

(c) Both the Centre and the State Governments particularly the sectors of Family Welfare, Women and Child Development, Agriculture and Horticulture, Food and Civil Supplies, Rural Development and Information & Broadcasting will have to play an important role.

(d) The proposal envisages active involvement of the voluntary sector, international organisations and community participation.

(e) Malnutrition is not the direct cause of death but indirectly results in lower immunity which can cause fatal illness. Hence, it is difficult to estimate the number of people who die due to nutrition problems.