WCD gets cabinet nod to plot drive against under-nutrition

The Union Cabinet today cleared a proposal for implementation of a multi-sectoral plan which would address maternal and child under-nutrition in 200 high- burden districts under the 12th Five Year Plan.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development was given the responsibility of preparing the multi-sectoral programme in consultation with the Planning Commission, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and other relevant ministries.
The programme aims at increasing the availability and accessibility of key maternal and child health and nutrition services at all levels through convergence of sectoral programmes and bridging of critical gaps for addressing under-nutrition.
Reduction in levels of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women and enhancing the capacities and skills of service providers, care givers, voluntary action groups and communities are among the other objectives of the programme.

The scheme will cost Rs 1,213.19 crore for the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) as a centrally-sponsored scheme with a centre:state cost sharing ratio of 90:10 for all components in the Northeastern Region States and special category States and 75:25 for other states and Union Territories.
Thus, the Centre's contribution towards the scheme would be Rs 944.39 crore while the states' share would be Rs 268.80 crore.