New Delhi: The problem of malnutrition has become the most serious problem in the country and the Modi government has taken a big decision to solve this problem. In fact, in the meeting of the Union Cabinet, it was decided that the rice available under the Public Distribution System will now be made into fortified rice and given to the people. Let us tell everyone that by March 2024, this scheme will be implemented in the entire country in a phased manner. Let us also inform all of you that in the National Family Health Survey, it has been found that every other woman in the country is suffering from a shortage of blood.

Yes, and every third child in the country is underdeveloped or of short stature. Not only this, every fourth child in India is malnourished and every fifth child in the country is weak. At the same time, India's rank among South Asian countries in the Global Hunger Index is 94th, which is only above Afghanistan (99). If the estimates are to be taken into account, 68% of the deaths of children below the age of 5 years in the country are due to malnutrition. At the same time, due to the disease, death and decrease in productivity caused by malnutrition, the country loses Rs 7400 crore every year.

Not only that, underdeveloped children earn 20 per cent less than healthy people when they are adults. In fact, due to iron deficiency, the country has to suffer a loss of 1% of GDP every year. In view of this, the Modi government has formulated a new scheme to address the problem of malnutrition. Yes, and by March 2024, rice available in different nutrition schemes across the country will be made nutritious.

How will rice be nutritious?- By the year 2024, the rice given under any ongoing government scheme in the country will be Fortify. Yes, and to equip the rice with nutrients means that while extracting rice from the paddy, iron, folic acid, vitamin B12 and some other minerals are added to it by machine so that the rice becomes more nutritious. Not only this, these mainly include rice supplied to about 80 crore people under the Food Security Act and rice served to children in schools under the Mid Day Meal/ICDS Scheme and the National Nutrition Campaign.

Let us tell all of you that Rs 4,270 crore will be spent on this scheme by March 2024 and the entire burden will be borne by the central government. You may be aware that the government had already decided to implement this scheme as a pilot project in one district in each of the 15 most affected states of the country. However, at present, the scheme is being used in one district each in 6 states. On the other hand, according to sources, the number of rice mills will be increased in which rice fortification machines are installed. At present, the number of such mills is about 2,650.

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