Maharashtra's mothers and children face reduced nutritious food

In Maharashtra, around 62 lakh pregnant women, lactating mothers, and underweight children are receiving less nutritious food than they should. This reduction has happened because the government has not increased the food procurement rates since 2017. Currently, these groups are only provided 50 grams of khichdi and 20 grams of laddoos daily. They are supposed to receive 200 grams of khichdi and 60 grams of laddoos. BJP MLC Chitra Wagh highlighted this issue in the legislative council, pointing out that inflation has affected the value of the food provided. Most of these women and children benefit from the central government's Integrated Child Development Scheme. Those living in tribal areas receive support through the Amrut Ahar Yojana. Wagh expressed that without an increase in funding, the quantity of nutritious food available has been adversely affected. Aditi Tatkare, the Women's and Child Development Minister, stated that a proposal to raise the food rates has been sent to the central government. The current budget allocation for nutrition is quite low, ranging from ₹8 to ₹12 per person, per day. Shubha Samim, a leader of anganwadi workers, emphasized that the low rates have been a concern for seven years. In rural areas, helpers prepare meals, while in cities, self-help groups provide food. These low rates impact the quality of food served. Tatkare confirmed that the department is seeking an increase of ₹4 to ₹5 per person in the regular scheme. There will also be a separate proposal to raise the rates for women in tribal areas, whose current allocation is ₹45 per day.