Gujarat lagging behind in tackling malnutrition, admits health minister

Amid raging discussion on malnutrition in the Assembly, Health Minister Rushikesh Patel Friday said he has no objection in accepting that Gujarat is lagging behind on the issue.

Emphasising on adopting a holistic approach, the health minister urged everyone to rise above party politics to address malnutrition.

 According to data tabled recently in the Assembly, there are more than 5.70 lakh malnourished children in the state.

Among districts, Ahmedabad tops with 56,941 malnourished children, followed by Dahod and Banaskantha at 51,321 and 48,866 children respectively.

During the discussion, Patan Congress MLA Kirit Patel criticised the government’s budget over the issue of the ever-increasing public debt, which is at Rs 3.77 lakh crore for the current year an increase of Rs 66,000 crore from the previous year.

The minister, who is also the state government spokesperson, said developmental activities accelerated under various BJP governments in Gujarat. 

Meanwhile, Jamjodhpur AAP MLA Hemant Ahir criticised the budget for ignoring villages and rural development. Of the 182 MLAs in the Assembly, 139 are from the rural areas and yet, the government was ignoring it, he alleged.