Authors : Tejeshwari M. Tembhare
Page Nos : 108-111
Description :
This article critically examines government initiatives aimed at enhancing food and nutrition security among Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities in Maharashtra's Gondia district. Despite robust policies like Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), the district struggles with high rates of maternal and child malnutrition. We analyze supplementary interventions, including eggs/bananas for children and full meals for pregnant/lactating women, as well as the enhanced Public Distribution System (PDS) and Maa Gruha (Maternity Waiting Home) scheme. Our review of policy documents, annual reports, and academic evaluations reveals persistent gaps in infrastructure, supply chain consistency, and service utilization. These findings underscore the need for a community-driven, nutrition-sensitive approach to address the entrenched nutritional deficits in these communities.
