UP becomes a role model in the fight against malnutrition: 1.56 crore beneficiaries got nutritious food through this scheme of Yogi government

Lucknow. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh is emerging as an effective model for the country in the campaign against malnutrition. Maternal and child nutrition in the state has got a new strength through the Take Home Ration (THR) scheme run by the Women and Child Development Department and Child Development Services and Nutrition Department.

According to official sources, in accordance with the Government of India’s Saksham Anganwadi and Nutrition 2.0 guidelines and the National Food Security Act-2023, Uttar Pradesh has implemented the recipe-based supplementary nutrition system on a large scale. At present, nutritious food is being provided to about 1.56 crore beneficiaries every month in the state. These include children aged six months to six years, pregnant women, lactating mothers and severely malnourished children.

Positive effect is also visible in health indicators

Sources said that the positive impact of this scheme is also visible in health indicators. According to the data of National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the rate of stunting among children in the state has decreased from 39.7 percent to 31.5 percent during the year 2019-21 as compared to the year 2015-16. Apart from this, improvement in problems like underweight and thinness has also been recorded.

Under the scheme, special nutritional products are being prepared according to different age groups and needs. These include products like Shishu Amrit, Baby Food, Child Nutrition, Complete Maternal Diet, Arogya Nutrition, Bal Sanjeevani and Saksham Nutrition, which are helpful in providing balanced and nutritious diet to children and women. The state government has ensured transparency by connecting the entire distribution system with modern technology.

Delivery process more effective

Each packet is being digitally monitored through GPS tracking, QR code and OTP based verification system. This has made the distribution process more effective and accountable and nutritional materials are reaching the beneficiaries on time. This scheme is also playing an important role in the field of women empowerment. The work of production and supply of take home ration has been mainly entrusted to women self-help groups associated with Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission.

At present, more than 4,000 women of the state are getting employment and self-employment by joining these production units. Harshita Mathur, Director of Child Development and Nutrition and State Nutrition Mission, said that this system which combines nutrition, technology, transparency and women empowerment is giving a new direction to the efforts to eradicate malnutrition in the state and is also getting appreciation at the national level.