Lok Sabha Question No. 5667 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Malnutrition among Children
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Virendra Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5667 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2025

## MALNUTRITION AMONG CHILDREN

## 5667.  SHRI VIRENDRA SINGH:

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

- (a) the  details  of  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  tackle  the  problem  of malnutrition among children;
- (b) the details of financial assistance provided by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in this regard during the last five years; and
- (c) the details of the steps being taken by the Government to provide nutritious food to children as per international standards during the last five years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)

(a) to (c) Under the 15th Finance Commission, various components like Anganwadi services,  Poshan  Abhiyaan  and  Scheme  for  Adolescent  girls  (of  14-18  years  in Aspirational  Districts  and  North-Eastern  region)  have  been  subsumed  under  the umbrella  Mission  Saksham  Anganwadi  and  Poshan  2.0  (Mission  Poshan  2.0)  to address the challenge of malnutrition. It is a Centrally Sponsored mission, where the responsibility for implementation of various activities lies with the States and UTs. This mission is a universal self-selecting scheme where there are no entry barriers for any beneficiary to register and receive services. It is being implemented across the country including in the State of Uttar Pradesh.

Nutrition goes beyond mere eating of food; it requires proper digestion, absorption, and metabolism of nutrients. This process is influenced by factors like sanitation, education and access to safe drinking water. As malnutrition requires a multi-sectoral approach involving dimensions of food, health, water, sanitation and education, it is crucial to effectively address the issue of malnutrition in a convergent manner. It is being addressed under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 by establishing cross cutting convergence amongst 18 Ministries/Departments.

Under Mission Poshan 2.0 a new strategy has been made for reduction in malnutrition and for improved health, wellness and immunity through activities like community engagement, outreach, behavioral change, and advocacy. It focuses on Maternal

Nutrition,  Infant  and  Young  Child  Feeding  Norms,  treatment  of  Severe  Acute Malnutrition (SAM)/ Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and wellness through Ayush practices to reduce prevalence of wasting, stunting, and being underweight.

Under  Mission  Poshan  2.0,  Supplementary  Nutrition  is  provided  to  Children  (6 months to 6 years), Pregnant Women, Lactating Mothers and Adolescent Girls to beat the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition by adopting a life cycle approach. Supplementary nutrition is provided in accordance with the nutrition norms contained in Schedule-II of the National Food Security Act. These norms have been revised in January  2023.  The  old  norms  were  largely  calorie-specific;  however,  the  revised 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 for quality protein, healthy fats and micronutrients. These norms are primarily designed to bridge the gap in the intake of nutrients as compared to the RDA prescribed by ICMR-NIN.  The  Recommended  Dietary  Allowances  (RDA)  for  Indians,  including children, are suggested by the National Institute of Nutrition under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR-NIN).

Fortified  rice  is  being  supplied  to  Anganwadi  Center's  (AWCs)  to  meet  the requirement of micro-nutrients and to control anaemia among women and children. Greater  emphasis  is  being  laid  on  the  use  of  millets  at  least  once  a  week  for preparation of Hot Cooked Meal and Take Home ration at Anganwadi centers.

Ministries of Women & Child Development and Health & Family Welfare have jointly released the protocol for Community Management of Malnutrition (CMAM) to prevent and treat severely acute malnutrition in children and for reducing associated morbidity and mortality.

Under this Mission, one of the major activities undertaken is Community Mobilization and Awareness Advocacy to educate people on nutritional aspects as adoption of good nutrition habits requires sustained efforts for behavioural change. State and UTs are conducting and reporting regular sensitisation activities under Jan Andolans during  Poshan  Maahs  and  Poshan  Pakhwadas  celebrated  in  the  months  of September and March-April  respectively.  Community  Based  Events  (CBEs)  have served as a significant strategy in changing nutritional practices and all Anganwadi workers are required to conduct two Community Based Events every month.

Details of financial assistance provided to Uttar Pradesh under Mission Poshan 2.0 are Annexed.

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ANNEXURE ANNEXURE REFERRED IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF LOK SABHA QUESTION NO. 5667  FOR  04.04.2025  REGARDING  'MALNUTRITION  AMONG  CHILDREN' ASKED BY SHRI VIRENDRA SINGH Details of financial assistance provided to Uttar Pradesh under Mission Poshan 2.0

are as follows:

| Year     |   Funds released (in Crore) |
|----------|-----------------------------|
| 2021-22  |                     2407.55 |
| 2022-23  |                     2721.87 |
| 2023-24  |                     2668.69 |
| 2024-25* |                     2694.61 |

* Funds released up to 31 March 2025

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