Will implement scheme to check malnutrition: Pankaja Munde

Palghar: Maharashtra Women and Child welfare Minister Pankaja Munde has said the 'Jachcha Bachcha' scheme will be effectively implemented to check malnutrition and child deaths in the state.

"Following the implementation of the 'Jaccha Baccha' programme, I will tour the tribal-dominated districts of the state once in two months to review the situation and resolve the issues faced by people," she said yesterday after visiting

Mokhada taluka of Palghar district where many deaths due to malnutrition have occurred.

She met the family members of two children at Koch and Kalambawadi villages who died recently due to malnutrition, and assured them all assistance from the government.

"The government and the administration will work hand in hand to resolve this issue," she assured.

The lifestyle of the region and geographical conditions are also responsible for malnutrition and hence, it is necessary to educate the people and bring them out of ignorance, the minister said.

She donated Rs 51,000 from 'Gopinath Munde Education Fund' for the education of the sister of Sagar Wagh, who recently died of malnutrition.

Munde enquired about the health, cleanliness, food and other issues plaguing the villagers of Mokhada taluka, and said the state would take care of them and gave directions to the district administration in this regard.

She underlined the need for social awakening in the tribal region to fight the incidents of child deaths and said this can be achieved only by proper co-ordination between

Women and Child welfare, Health and Tribal Development departments for which the government is making efforts.

Firm steps would be taken in this direction. To eradicate malnutrition, the causes would be found and there is a need to educate the masses about the same, Munde said.

Unhygienic conditions, dejection among the villagers are some of the reasons for the present situation. It calls for mass education and awakening, she said.