Rs 40 for cows, Rs 12 for children: Madhya Pradesh's nutrition budget under fire
'The government is spending Rs 8 to Rs 12 per day on malnourished children, but Rs 40 has been allocated for cow feed per day,' Bhuria said in the assembly. 'Milk costs Rs 70 per litre, and officials spend thousands on snacks and dry fruits in a single meeting, but only Rs 12 is available to feed children whose skin is stuck to their bones.'The situation in tribal-dominated districts such as Sheopur, Dhar, Khargone, Barwani, Chhindwara, and Balaghat is particularly alarming. In several districts, reports suggest that one in every four children is severely malnourished.One-year-old Kartik from Sheopur, brought by his grandmother to a Nutrition Rehabilitation Center (NRC), is among those severely affected. His frail condition, with bones visible beneath the skin, highlights the gravity of the crisis. Similarly, six-month-old twins Gaurav and Saurav from Bhikhapur village have also been admitted to an NRC due to severe malnutrition.Acknowledging the shortfall, Madhya Pradesh Women and Child Development Minister Nirmala Bhuria admitted that the current provision is inadequate. 'We have requested additional funds from the central government,' she said. 'Other states have also sought an increase in the nutrition allowance.'- EndsTune InMust Watch
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
14 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Waging war on malnutrition
CHHATTISGARH : In a novel initiative, a synchronised integrated campaign, 'Chiranjeevi Raipur', has executed nutritional interventions to secure better health of malnourished mothers and their children in a conducive environment propelled by facility-based care. Sound maternal health and child well-being are cited as the foundation of a happy family. So, the plan of action directly deals with critical health issues that impair overall growth and development. The schedule is prepared for a minimum of one-month stay at the Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) near Serikheri in Raipur, with the requisite solutions well in place. A survey found that in lower-income group families with undernourished mothers, children are also obviously malnourished. So, both were enrolled under the campaign to ensure the beneficiaries have access to essential support at an early stage. The mothers are exceptionally groomed under direct observation of medical practitioners and trained professionals who understand the cases and the underlying causes of malnutrition. UNICEF also recognises the interrelatedness of maternal and child health, particularly during vulnerable periods like pregnancy and early childhood. 'The key objective of 'Chiranjeevi Raipur', the first of its kind with a multifaceted approach, is to reinforce and promote good nutritional practices among the malnourished children along with their mothers', said Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. Around 100 severely malnourished children and their mothers were taken in a batch to the NRC. The mothers were educated in personal hygiene, cleanliness practices, and how to prepare a variety of healthy, balanced foods rich in essential nutrients that can alleviate vital nutritional deficiencies. 'Malnutrition in both mothers and children should remain a grave concern as it's a cycle where a mother's deficient nourishment can adversely affect the child's growth and development. Malnourished children shouldn't become a very vulnerable group. Serious malnutrition among mothers can lead to complications in health and wellness even in young children', said Gaurav Kumar Singh, Raipur collector, who conceived the programme. The malnourished women and their children are screened and selected through the nutrition tracker App of the state's Women and Child Development department through the Anganwadi centres. The App stores information regarding the weight and height of a child from 0 to 6 years of age. The acutely malnourished children who needed special focus were selected.
The Hindu
21 hours ago
- The Hindu
Commitment to truth, authenticity vital as fighting fake news becomes a daily battle: Nirmala Lakshman
At a time when countering fake news has become a daily battle, commitment to truth and authenticity is the most cardinal virtue of journalism that needs to be practised, Nirmala Lakshman, Chairperson, The Hindu Group Publishing Private Ltd., said here on Saturday. Ms. Lakshman, who is the author of The Tamils: A Portrait Of A Community, was in conversation with Col. David Devasahayam, chairman and managing director of the Radiant Group of Companies, on the topic 'Re-imagining Tamil social fabric today' at the Radiant Wellness Conclave. To a question on social wellness and women, she said, 'Over the years, because of legislation, movements, and protests, there has been progress in terms of gender equality. But we have not really scratched the surface. Social and economic disadvantages still keep women in a much lower focus, both from the national point of view and from their own social wellness aspect. We have a long way to go.' She expressed concern over caste-based killings and violence against members of the Dalit community. On inclusivity and acceptance in Tamil Nadu, she said rural India was well exposed to the outside world. Several families honoured heroes they revered by naming children after them, such as Lenin and Stalin. 'It is a particularly wonderful Tamil characteristic to look at the world outside. It is not just about Tamil Nadu or Tamilians, contrary to the notion that Tamils are insular,' she added. Nine aspects of wellness In his keynote address, Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor spoke on nine aspects of wellness such as physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, social, environmental, occupational, financial and cultural. He expressed concern over the prevalence of obesity and diabetes, particularly among urban youth, and highlighted the negative correlation between screen time and mental health. In a conversation with journalist Barkha Dutt on 'Planetary care in crisis', Pasumai Thaayagam Foundation president Sowmiya Anbumani said though Tamil Nadu got enough rainfall, the State was unable to tap its potential due to inadequate storage facilities. She stressed the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and move towards alternative energy sources. During the conclave, veteran actor Shabana Azmi was honoured with the Radiant Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to Indian and international cinema.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Malnutrition shadow on WCD minister Nirmala Bhuria's backyard Malwa-Nimar
Bhopal: Fresh data from the Centre has placed three districts from the state's Malwa-Nimar belt, home turf of state women and child development minister Nirmala Bhuria, among the 10 worst-affected in the country for child malnutrition. Figures tabled in the Lok Sabha on July 25 show that 42.54% of children attending anganwadis in Dhar are underweight, ranking it third in the country. Khargone (formerly West Nimar) follows with 36.19%, and Barwani with 36.04%. The findings underscore a grim irony: the state's WCD minister hails from this very region. Bhuria, who is from Petlawad in Jhabua district, leads the state's nutrition drive while the crisis remains most acute in her own political backyard. Nationally, Nandurbar in Maharashtra tops the list with 48.26% underweight children, followed by West Singhbhum in Jharkhand (44.80%). Dhar ranks third, with Khargone and Barwani also in the top 10. The data highlights Madhya Pradesh's disproportionate share of the national malnutrition burden. In the same reply to a question by Bihar MP Sudama Prasad, Union minister of state for WCD Savitri Thakur detailed funds released under Mission Poshan 2.0. Madhya Pradesh received Rs 4,364.69 crore between 2021-22 and 2024-25. When contacted, Bhuria said: "We are regularly monitoring the data and initiating several innovative interventions. As a pilot in Jhabua district, we launched a drive named 'Motihai' (Badi Maa in the local language). At every anganwadi, a woman was deployed to massage the kids and provide traditional nutrition. We prepared files for each child who needed care, and even children migrating with their parents are being tracked. This innovation has given very good results in Jhabua. We will be initiating such initiatives in other districts like Dhar, Khargone, Barwani, and wherever such interventions are required." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
