nAround 37 different social organisations of the state working in the field of ‘Right to Food Campaign’ in a joint statement claim child malnutrition in Chhattisgarh can be reduced by providing eggs in meals served in schools and anganwadis.
If proper attention is not given towards arresting malnutrition now, it will further aggravate the present situation and hence the state government needs to take a strong initiative to include eggs in the meals five days a week at the earliest, the organisations observe.
The joint statement further points out problems child malnutrition in Chhattisgarh are extremely grave. As per government surveys 38% of children are malnourished (NFHS-4). The malnutrition percentage is higher, i.e. 44%, among children belonging to Scheduled Tribe category, it means almost every second child is malnourished, it says.
Similarly, more than 83% people in Chhattisgarh consume eggs as per survey (SRS 2014).
They cites that neighbouring states like Odisha, Jharkhand, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are providing eggs for last 15 years, in midday meal and anganwadi centres, as an excellent option for adding high protein-rich food in government programmes.
Eggs are an excellent source of protein for growing children. Eggs contain and can provide most of the nutrients needed in a nutritious diet and are safe to eat, the statement says.
The organisations suggest that sensitivities of those parents who do not want their children to consume eggs, need to be considered, for which provision of milk, banana or any other vegetarian option can be used.
Chhattisgarh government’s order issued in January about giving eggs in mid-day meals also mentions that there should be alternative vegetarian food items in the menu for those who do not eat eggs, the organisations point out.
Therefore, the protest by a few people against the provision of eggs in mid-day meal and anganwadis is not at all justified, they say.