Gujarat Assembly Clash: BJP vs. Congress on Malnutrition Stats

A heated debate on malnutrition arose in the Gujarat assembly with BJP and Congress at odds. Congress MLA Mevani criticized the government's malnutrition efforts, but Minister Vakil countered with new data showing improvements. The debate highlighted technology-driven initiatives in child nutrition monitoring.

The Gujarat assembly experienced a heated exchange on Thursday as the ruling BJP and opposition Congress clashed over malnutrition statistics. Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani criticized the state government's handling of child malnutrition, claiming that despite decades of BJP rule, significant issues persist.

Women and Child Development Minister Manisha Vakil contested Congress's claims, asserting that the opposition referred to outdated figures. She presented current data from the Poshan Tracker system, showcasing a reduction in malnutrition rates to 11.4 percent, a significant drop from previous years.

The debate further emphasized the state government's reliance on technology to enhance nutrition program monitoring. Minister Vakil detailed advancements such as real-time applications and digital tools aimed at transparency in welfare schemes, marking a shift from manual systems used during Congress's tenure.

(With inputs from agencies.)