During her speech, the UPA chairperson also expressed concerns over the issue of malnutrition. "No doubt we have made a good progress in various fields, but malnutrition is still a cause of concern," she said. "However, the Food Security Bill, which is on the way, will surely help reduce this. Government knows that a healthy mother means a healthy child and hence we have to take care of both," . She said that since the UPA government is concerned about the health and education of children, 12 crore children studying in government schools were being provided mid-day meals. On the occasion, she also launched a micro-ATM facility for Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers, so that they can directly withdraw their money from the bank. Their Aadhaar card number is linked to a private bank, through which they will get the renumeration. Anjani Ramesh Bond, an ASHA worker from Palghar received her card from Gandhi at the function.
