(a) whether the Government has any plan to hold a Conference of Ministers of Women and Child Development of all State Governments to deliberate on solutions related to malnutrition among women and children and to assess the progress of POSHAN Abhiyan;
(b) if so, the details in this regard; and
(c) if not, the steps being taken to ensure that women and children are not malnourished in the country?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a) to (c) There is presently no plan to hold a Conference of Ministers of Women and Child Development of all State Governments to deliberate on solutions related to malnutrition among women and children and to assess the progress of POSHAN Abhiyaan. However, in the last ten monthsMinister of Women and Child Development has reviewed POSHAN Abhiyaan with 16 Chief Ministers; Secretary, Women and Child Development has similarly reviewed POSHAN Abhiyaan with 10 Chief Secretaries apart from review of status in States / UTs through video conference, conferences, meeting etc.The Government is implementing several schemes/programmes of different Ministries/Departments through States/UTs to address various aspects related to health and nutrition. This Ministry is implementing POSHAN Abhiyaan, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Anganwadi Services and Scheme for Adolescent Girls under the Umbrella Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS) to address the problem of malnutrition in the country.
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