Nagpur: While reiterating the stand of the Government on the issue of malnourishment and children dying of malnourishment in different parts of the state, Minister of Rural Development, Women and Child Welfare Pankaja Munde said that this is really an extremely sensitive issue. Infant deaths and malnourishment are separate issues. The Governor the State C Vidyasagar Rao had also chaired a vital fact-finding meeting in this regard. In the meeting, it was decided to constitute a task-force. The Minister with the portfolios of Tribal Welfare, Health Ministry and the Minister of Rural Development, Women and Child Welfare were members of the Task-Force. This committee is said to be formulating a consolidated plan. Pankaja Munde claimed that the infant mortality rate has significantly come down.
It was informed that all the children attending Anganwadis in Tribal areas were fed with bananas and eggs four times in a week. This scheme will also be implemented in non-tribal areas soon. A Village Child Development Camp will be taken up in predominantly tribal areas. Sources said that malnourishment is observed in 40 Tribal Blocks in the state. All the vacant positions in these blocks will be filled soon. Prominence will be given to the all round development of the tribal community.
A training module will be developed to impart training under the Mother and Child Scheme. In order to prevent tribals from migrating outside, Skill-Development and Self-Employment Schemes will be imparted to the tribals so that they earn a livelihood and avoid migrating outside the tribe. After the Task Force submits its report, a meeting will be organized in the presence by Chief Secretary. A pro-active and positive decision has also been taken about the nutritious diet given to tribals.
