MANOJ SINHA
Ramgarh, Aug 1: Member of Parliament cum Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance Jayant Sinha today raised the issue of malnutrition in Jharkhand during the Zero Hour of the Lok Sabha. He said that the future of our country, our children is deprived due to basic nutrition and food in Jharkhand. He said that Jharkhand is one of the worst-performing states in terms of nutritional indicators and the JMM-Congress government still seems unconcerned about it.
According to NFHS-5 and IFPRI, out of 38 lakh children under five years of age in Jharkhand, more than 23 lakh are anaemic. 15 lakh children are stunted and more than eight lakh children are weak. Not only children but the state’s women are also suffering. More than 26 lakh women in Jharkhand are underweight, that is, less than the standard weight according to age and height. 66% of women in the state suffer from anaemia. What is even more disheartening is that 57% of pregnant women are anaemic, he added.
He said that no state can progress until the state government pays attention to the health of its people. “While we are dreaming of a bright and progressive future for our people, the Jharkhand government is unable to provide even basic food and nutrition to women and children, which is extremely shameful.” He urged the Central Government to issue strict instructions to the Jharkhand Government in this regard.
