UP GOVT’S DESI GHEE BOOST TO CHECK MALNUTRITION

The Uttar Pradesh government has been providing ‘desi ghee’ and powder milk to extremely malnourished children up to five years of age along with pregnant women and lactating mothers from December 2020. The beneficiaries registered with Anganvadi Centres will be given a fixed amount of ‘desi ghee’ and powder milk every three months, besides monthly dry ration under the nutrition mission of the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), said a senior officer of the Women and Child Welfare Department. The scheme has been launched with an aim to improve the beneficiaries’ nutrition, health and education and also for their physical and mental development. According to an official, “Extremely malnourished children up to five years of age will be provided 900 grams ‘desi ghee’ and 750 grams of powder milk every three months. These children will also be given 1.5 kg of rice and 2.5 kg of wheat every month.” Whereas, lactating mothers, pregnant women and non-school going girls (11-14) will be given 450 grams ‘desi ghee’ and 750 grams powder milk every three months. Dry ration, including 1kg rice, 2kg wheat and 750 grams daal will also be given to them every month, he added. A survey was carried out in Varanasi to identify pregnant women and lactating mothers as the department already has data of extremely malnourished children. The survey identified 30,000 women, including needy pregnant and lactating mothers. All these women were registered with anganvadi centres so that they could get the ‘desi ghee’ and powder milk free of cost under the nutrition mission, the officer added. In November 2020, there were 3,118 extremely malnourished children in the district. The District programme officer says, “The mission to provide the food stuff to the beneficiaries is aimed at improving their health and to ensure proper mental and physical development of the children.”