Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Programme Covering Children, Adolescent Girls & Women Launched in 200 Districts

The Government has taken new measures to reduce malnutrition among children & women. A multi-sectoral nutrition programme which aims at prevention and reduction in child under-nutrition (underweight prevalence in children under 3 years of age) and reduction in levels of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women has been launched in 200 high-burden districts during the 12th Five Year Plan. Concerned States /UTs have been advised to setup State Nutrition Council/ Districts Nutrition Cells and prepare nutrition action plans for approval of the Government. The Government has also taken several steps to encourage and ensure adequate availability of nutrition amongst different ages especially children in the age group of 0-6 years, adolescent girls and pregnant and lactating mothers. This Ministry is implementing several schemes/programmes such as Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Rajiv Gandhi Schemes for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG) namely SABLA, Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojna (IGMSY) as direct targeted interventions. To create awareness about nutrition challenges and promote home-level feeding practices a Nationwide Information, Education and Communication campaign against malnutrition has been launched during 2012-13 This information was given by Union Minister of Women and Child Development Ministry, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi in an oral reply to a question in Lok Sabha today (25/07/2014).  Courtesy: pib.nic.in