At least 1600 children who were more or less severely malnourished previously are stepping into a healthier and happier life, thanks to the two schemes launched by jointly by the Chhattisgarh government and Bharat Aluminium Company limited (Balco).
Balco has been implementing the ‘Mamta scheme’ in a joint venture with the Chhattisgarh government in 243 anganwadi blocks in Taraimar coal block area in Raigarh district.
After sustainable efforts the 47.37 per cent children who were malnourished have started leading a healthy and happier life, the company said in a statement. Out of the 3,482 malnourished , 1601 children have regained good health, it said. The State government has launched Nawa Jatan programe in partnership with the community to tackle the problem of malnutrition in children.
Balco expanded its ‘Mamta scheme’ in Dharmajaigarh developmental block area in the district in 2013-14 to strengthen the State government’s fight against malnutrition.
It started providing nutritional supplements to 3054 generally malnourished and 428 severely children identified by the local administration in 243 anganwadi area.
Several malnourished children were given each 800 gram protein powder per month, it said. After the sincere efforts by Balco, the malnutrition has been reduced by to 47 per cent children within a year in the Anganwadi centres operating in Taraimar coal block area of the district, it said.
The number of severely malnourished children have been reduced by fifty percent to 223. Most pleasant results were seen in Hati area. The number of malnourished children has decreased by 61 percent in this region.