The Madhya Pradesh Government, in order to fulfil its commitment to make the State malnutrition-free, has announced an award for malnutrition-free panchayats.
Whichever panchayat becomes malnutrition-free by bringing improvement in the nutrition level will be awarded, Minister for Women and Child Development Archana Chitnis said during Aahaar Saptah being observed in the State from September 1 to 8. She said that whichever panchayat becomes malnutrition-free for the next one year will be awarded after the assessment.
Minister Chitnis said that the State Government is committed to eradicate malnutrition. The award scheme has been introduced by the department to encourage and to ensure participation of the people and local bodies.
As per the scheme, the sarpanch of the awarded panchayat will be given a reward of Rs 2,100. Similarly, reward of Rs 1,100 each to the best work carried out by the community or by the specific person, anganwadi and mini anganwadi worker, anganwadi sahayika, asha worker, supervisor, ANM and panchayat secretary will be given. Moreover, Rs 5,000 in cash will be given to the paanchayat for making an ideal anganbadi centre.
Malnutrition-free panchayat is required to give declaration to the concerned Child Development Project Officer and to the District Women and Child Development Officer which will be certified by third party. Award will be given to only those malnutrition-free panchayats which continuously perform in the coming 6 months to one year.
Chitnis said that positive improvement has been registered in the nutrition level during the last ten years. As per the national health survey, there was 60 percent malnourished children in 2004-05 which has come down to 42.80 percent. We have registered much reduction in the malnutrition level in comparison to other big States.