Lok Sabha Question No. 741 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-26
Subject: Rashtriya Poshan Abhiyan
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Varun Chaudhry

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 741

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2024

## RASHTRIYA POSHAN ABHIYAAN

## 741.     SHRI VARUN CHAUDHRY

Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:

- (a) The  annual  targets  set  and  achieved  under  Rashtriya  Poshan  Abhiyaan  to reduce anaemia amongst pregnant women and children since inception of the scheme;
- (b) The  expenditure  incurred  to  reduce  anaemia  among  pregnant  women  and children since inception of the scheme, year-wise; and
- (c) Whether there is any proposal to review the scheme for better results and if so, the details thereof, if not the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI ANNPURNA DEVI)

(a)  to  (c)  The  Government  of  India  is  implementing  Anaemia  Mukt  Bharat  (AMB) programme under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to reduce anaemia in children (6-59  months),  children  (5-9  years),  adolescents  (10-19  years),  pregnant  women, lactating women and in women of reproductive age group (15-49 years) in life cycle approach through implementation of six interventions  - prophylactic Iron Folic Acid Supplementation;  periodic  deworming;  intensified  year-round  Behaviour  Change Communication Campaign; testing of anemia using digital invasive haemoglobinometer and point of care treatment; provision of Iron Folic Acid fortified foods in public health programmes; addressing non-nutritional causes of anemia in endemic  pockets  via  robust  institutional  mechanisms.  The  Iron  and  Folic  Acid supplementation  coverage  is  95.0%  among  pregnant  women  and  38.4  %  among children 6-59 months across the country as per HMIS 2023-24.

Further, Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (Mission Poshan 2.0), under Ministry of Women & Child Development is a flagship programme of Government of India which seeks to address the challenge of malnutrition through improved nutrition content and delivery. Under 15th Finance Commission, Anganwadi services, Poshan

Abhiyaan and Scheme for Adolescent girls (14-18 years in Aspirational Districts and North-East region) were subsumed under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (Mission Poshan 2.0). In the Mission Poshan 2.0, a strategic shift has been made for reduction in malnutrition and for improved health, wellness and immunity through community  engagement,  outreach,  behavioral  change,  and  advocacy.  Mission Poshan 2.0 focuses on Maternal Nutrition, Infant and Young Child Feeding Norms, treatment of Severe Acute Malnourished (SAM)/Moderate Acute Malnourished (MAM) and wellness through AYUSH  practices  to reduce wasting and underweight prevalence beside stunting and anaemia.

Nutritional support through Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) is one of the integral components of Mission Poshan 2.0, under which supplementary nutrition is provided to children (06 months to 6 years), pregnant women and lactating mothers (PWLM) and Adolescent Girls (14 to 18 years in Aspirational districts and North-East States) primarily to bridge the gap in the intake of nutrients.

Supplementary Nutrition is provided in accordance with the nutrition norms contained in  Schedule-II  of  the  National  Food  Security  Act.  To  address  the  challenge  of malnutrition  more  effectively,  these  nutrition  norms  have  been  revised.  The  old nutrition norms were largely calorie-specific; however, the revised nutritional norms are  more  comprehensive  and  balanced  in  terms  of  both  quantity  and  quality  of supplementary nutrition based on the principles of diet diversity that provides quality protein, healthy fats and micronutrients.

Only fortified rice is being supplied to AWCs to meet the requirement of micronutrients and control anaemia among the children. Greater emphasis is being given on the use of millets for preparation of Hot Cooked Meal at least once a week and Take Home ration (THR - not raw ration).

Under  Mission  Poshan  2.0,  one  of  the  major  activities  undertaken  is  Community Mobilization and Awareness Advocacy leading to Jan Andolan to educate the people on nutritional aspects. State and  UTs  are conducting and  reporting regular sensitisation  activities  under  community  engagement  programmes  during  Poshan Maahs and Poshan Pakhwadas celebrated in the months of September and MarchApril  respectively.  To  give  high  importance  to  issues  around  Anaemia,  dedicated 'Anaemia  related  themes  have  been  undertaken  by  Ministry  of  Women  &  Child Development under Poshan Abhiyaan. Community Based Events (CBEs) have served as a significant strategy in changing nutrition practices and all Anganwadi workers are required to conduct two Community Based Events every month.

The  funds  allocated  to  all  States/UTs  under  Anaemia  Mukt  Bharat  program  and Mission Poshan 2.0 during the last three years are tabulated below:

| Financial Year   | Amount in ₹ crores   | Amount in ₹ crores   |
|------------------|----------------------|----------------------|
| Mukt             | Anaemia Bharat       | Mission Poshan 2.0   |
| 2203.71          | 18368.00             | 2021-22              |
| 823.00           | 19849.81             | 2022-23              |
| 862.80           | 21741.19             | 2023-24              |