State Pushes Centre to Raise Nutrition Support Rates for Pregnant Women

Quick Summary

• The Maharashtra state government has urged the Central government to increase funding rates for nutritive food provided to pregnant women under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS).
• Current rates, which range from Rs 8 to Rs 12 per day, were implemented in 2017, and raw material costs have risen since than.
• Aditi Tatkare, Minister for Women and Child welfare, stated during Question Hour that a formal proposal has been sent to the Center requesting an increase.
• BJP legislator Chitra Wagh highlighted issues like reduced quantities of provided food items-khichdi dropped from 200 gm to 50 gm; peanut laddoos reduced from 60 gm to 20 gm-due to rising costs.
• wagh demanded equal nutritional support for all pregnant and lactating women across demographics, not limited only to tribal communities.

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Indian Opinion Analysis
The issue underscores a need for adjustments in welfare schemes amidst inflationary pressures on raw material prices over six years. Proposals by state leaders appear logical as insufficient funding impacts nutritional intake at critical stages of maternal health care-a focus frequently enough emphasized in public health policy globally. Ensuring equitable allocation of resources across various regions and demographics is also noteworthy; though, balancing fiscal constraints with broader implementation must be carefully considered by policymakers at both state and central levels.

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