Against the backdrop of 40 child deaths in Attappdy tribal block in Kerala mainly due to malnutrition, the Centre today announced setting up of nutrition centres there on the pattern of such facilities in Andhra Pradesh.
Noting that providing nutrition is the need of the hour, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said through 'kudumbashree' women self-help groups, the government would set up community nutrition centres to ensure that adequate nutrition is provided, particularly to pregnant women in the area.
"If the women are not properly fed, obviously the babies will not be properly fed. We are going to follow the Andhra model commuity nutrition centres in Attappady," he said.
Ramesh was speaking to reporters after holding the first inter-ministerial meeting to oversee and monitor tribals' welfare programme and development package announced by the Centre for Attappady region.
Senior officials from six ministries--Health, Tribal Affairs, Rural Development, Women and Child Development, Drinking Water and Sanitation and HRD--were present in the meeting.
