By Neha Sharma , Bhopal : Major and emarkable improvement has been witnessed in the condition of malnourished children in Madhya Pradesh. A national survey conducted by an independent agency has found that the number of malnourished children in the state has come down by 50 percent and those of underweight children by 25 percent.
This information was given during a quarterly review meeting of Woman & Child Development Department taken by Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan here today. The meeting was informed that the study report of independent agency Nandi Foundation has been released by the Prime Minister on January 12. Minister of State for Woman & Child Development Smt. Ranjana Baghel and Chief Secretary Shri Avani Vaish were also present on the occasion.
The meeting was informed that the survey was conducted in nine states including Madhya Pradesh. Twelve districts of the state including Barwani, Bhind, Chhatarpur, Dindori, Guna, Jhabua, Panna, Shivpuri, Tikamgarh, Umaria, Indore and Vidisha were covered under the study.
Ground realities be put forth
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that ground realities about implementation of the schemes should be presented. He instructed that the department’s monitoring system should be made more effective. He said that complaints about Anganwadis being dysfunctional in some areas have come to his notice during his tours. He said that besides rewarding excellent workers at the field level, strict action should also be taken against negligent workers.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that other states of the country are following Ladli Laxmi Yojna. Early and effective solution should be made if any difficulty is experienced in the scheme’s implementation. He said that if a couple undergoes permanent family planning operation within two years’ period then such a couple should also be covered under the scheme.
The meeting was informed that the department has achieved 93.77 success by spending Rs. 1,560 crore out of the allocation of Rs. 1,667 crore. Strict monitoring of departmental activities is being undertaken. Action has been taken against 40 officers. Appointments to 503 posts are also being made on contractual basis. A booklet comprising various recipes of nutritious diets is being prepared. A five-day refresher training course has been chalked out for Anganwadi workers with the cooperation of UNICEF.
Principal Secretary Finance Shri Ajay Nath, Principal Secretary Woman & Child Development Shri B.R. Naidu, Secretary to Chief Minister, Shri Vivek Agrawal, Director Woman & Child Development Shri Anupam Rajan, Director Atal Child Health Mission Shri D.D. Agrawal, Secretary Finance Shri Amit Rathore and other officers were also present on the occasion.