Lok Sabha Question No. 3164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-21
Subject: Ranking in Global Hunger Index Report, 2016
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV, RANGASWAMY DHRUVANARAYANA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3164

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST   MARCH, 2017

RANKING IN GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX REPORT, 2016

3164.

SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV: SHRI R. DHRUVA NARAYANA:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) the  ranking  accorded  to  the  country  in  the  Global  Hunger  Index Report, 2016 prepared by the International Food Policy Research  Institute and the steps taken by the Government to improve this position;
- (b) whether a substantial proportion of the population continue to suffer from lack of food according to the said report;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the measures taken to look into all  the aspects of the problem; and
- (d) whether  the  country's Global Hunger  Index  score  is lower as compared to those of other BRICS nations, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

(a), (b) & (c): As per information available in the public domain, Global Hunger Index  report  2016  brought  out  by  the  International  Food  Policy  Research Institute  (IFPRI)  in  its  latest  publication  released  in  October,  2016,  India's rank has been calculated as 97 out of 118 countries.

According  to  the  report,  the  Global  Hunger  Index is composed of the proportion  of  the  undernourished  as  a  percentage  of  the  population,  the prevalence of underweight children under the age of five and the mortality The Government of India has accorded high priority to the issue of hunger several Territory rate of children under the age of five (calculated average, in percentages). and malnutrition in the country and is implementing schemes/programmes through State Governments/ Union Administrations to improve food security situation in the country.

For tackling the problem of hunger in the country and to provide food security  to  the  vulnerable  population,  the  Government  has  been  provided foodgrains  at  highly  subsidized  prices  to  the  targeted  population  through State Governments/ UT Administrations under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in terms of Nation Food Security Act, 2013 and Other  Welfare  Schemes  (OWS)  such  as  Mid-Day  Meal  Scheme,  Integrated Child  Development  Services  (ICDS)  Scheme,  Rajiv  Gandhi  Scheme  for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls, Annupurma Scheme etc.

National Food Security Act, 2013 provides for coverage of upto 70% of the rural and upto 50% of the urban population thus covering about two-third of the population, for receiving foodgrains at highly subsidized prices of Rs.3, 2 and 1 per Kg. for rice,  wheat and coarse grain respectively under TPDS.

The Act also has a special focus on nutritional support to women and children.    Pregnant  women  and  lactating  mothers  are  entitled  to  receive meals  as  per  nutritional  norms.      Children  upto  14  years  of  age  are  also entitled  to  nutritious  meals  or  take  home  rations  as  per  the  prescribed nutritional standards.  In case of non supply of entitled foodgrains or meals, the  beneficiaries  are  entitled  to  receive  food  security  allowance  as  per NFSA, 2013.

During the current year 2016-17, the Government has so far allocated 628.91 lakh tonnes of foodgrains under TPDS, NFSA and OWS.

(d):    Yes,  Madam.    Amongst  the  BRICS  countries,  Russia  China  and  South Africa  are  ranked  at  24,  29  and  51  respectively  while  Brazil  has  been collectively ranked 1-16 with other countries out of the 118 countries.

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