CM Siddaramaiah takes a dig at PM Modi, asks why malnutrition increasing in Gujarat and country
Bengaluru, Nov 22: Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said he should answer as to why malnutrition is allegedly increasing in his home state of Gujarat and India.
He said those who praised Gujarat as a model should respond as to why the malnutrition index was increasing in the PM's home state.
"Those who praised Gujarat as a model should answer why the malnutrition index is increasing in Gujarat and in the country," Siddaramaiah said. "Can this become a model for the whole country?"
He was speaking after inaugurating the state government's ambitious public health programme, "Anemia Mukta Poushtika Karnataka".
The Chief Minister stressed that without eradicating poverty and illiteracy, everyone will not get good health.
"Our government's aim is to reach health benefits to everyone's doorstep," he said, adding that the government is ready to provide the required funds for it.
The Chief Minister called upon Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar and Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao to work together to fulfill the aim of the government and to "keep the children and everyone of our state very healthy".
Rao said that people do not have clear information about anemia and that they are not concerned about it.
"Anemia starts when hemoglobin decreases. The main reason for this is lack of nutrition. Hemoglobin decreases due to iron deficiency. This reduces our physical and mental development. Due to fatigue, human energy is reduced," he said.
The Minister said the government is determined to make Karnataka anemia-free. Anemia reduces cognitive ability and affects children's education. "Over time, we will create awareness and prevent it," he said.
Provision of necessary treatment and drugs by the Health Department will be ensured to those affected by anemia, Rao said. Besides, free anemia screening will be organised for school children in December, he said.
Screening of children below five years will be carried out by April and action will be taken to provide nutritious food in Anganwadis. "This is why milk and eggs are distributed".
According to the state's Health Department, India is one among the countries with anemia as a serious public health concern even today. Recent data as per National Family Health Survey-5 shows that in Karnataka anemia affects 47.8 per cent of women in the reproductive age group (15-49 years) and 45.7 per cent of pregnant women.
Among children of age 6-59 months, it is 65.5 per cent, among adolescent girls (15-19 years) 49.4 per cent, adolescent boys (15-19 years) 26.5 per cent and men aged (15 to 49 years) 19.6 per cent.
The key objective of the 'Anemia Muktha Poushtika Karnataka' programme will be to improve the nutritional status of mothers and children through interventions that take a "Life Cycle" approach. It also aims to improve service delivery by leveraging new technologies and behavioural change strategy.
Under this programme, the state government aims to reach 52 lakh children of age 6-59 months, 58 lakh children between 5-9 years, 127 lakh adolescents of age 10-19 years, 12 lakh pregnant women, 11 lakh lactating mothers and 133 lakh women in reproductive age group (20-49 years excluding pregnant women and lactating mothers) through the planned six pillars of activities which include mass screening for anemia and malnutrition, strengthen tracking and monitoring system, take home ration and diet, and counseling services.
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Sanjay Raut demands re-election, alleges irregularities in EVMs during Maharashtra polls
Mumbai, Nov 25: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday demanded a re-election in Maharashtra using ballot papers, claiming there were irregularities with the electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Talking to reporters, Raut alleged several complaints about EVMs malfunctioning and questioned the integrity of the recently held elections.
The BJP-led Mahayuti won 230 out of 288 seats in the assembly elections, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi managed 46 seats, with Shiv Sena (UBT) winning just 20 out of 95 seats it contested.
"We have received nearly 450 complaints regarding EVMs. Despite raising objections repeatedly, no action has been taken on these issues. How can we say these elections were conducted fairly? Hence, I demand that the results be set aside and elections be held again using ballot papers," Raut said.
Citing some instances, he said a candidate in Nashik reportedly received only four votes despite having 65 votes from his family, while in Dombivli, discrepancies were found in EVM tallies, and election officials refused to acknowledge the objections.
The Sena (UBT) leader also questioned the credibility of the landslide victories of some candidates, saying, "What revolutionary work have they done to receive more than 1.5 lakh votes? Even leaders who recently switched parties have become MLAs. This raises suspicions. For the first time, a senior leader like Sharad Pawar has expressed doubts about EVMs, which cannot be ignored."
Asked about the MVA's poor performance in the elections, Raut rejected the idea of blaming a single individual.
"We fought as a united MVA. Even a leader like Sharad Pawar, who commands immense respect in Maharashtra, faced defeat. This shows that we need to analyse the reasons behind the failure. One of the reasons is EVM irregularities and the misuse of the system, unconstitutional practices, and even judicial decisions left unresolved by Justice Chandrachud," he said.
Raut stressed that though internal differences might have existed within the MVA, the failure was collective.
He also accused the Mahayuti of conducting the elections in an unfair manner.
"I cannot call the elections fair given the numerous reports of discrepancies in EVMs, mismatched numbers, and vote irregularities across the state," Raut said.
