Represented as a ‘model state’ powered by a ‘growth engine’, Gujarat lags significantly behind when it comes to child nourishment. According to a report tabled in Lok Sabha, 39.73% of children under five in the state are malnourished, making it one in every four children.

Gujarat’s numbers were worse than Tripura, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.

The states with the most malnourished children in India are Uttar Pradesh (46.36%), Maharashtra (44.59%), and Assam (41.98%).

Looking back at the years, in 2022, 51.92% of children in Gujarat were malnourished. In 2023, that number was 43.78%.

In the recent report, 21.39% of the children were found to be underweight below the prescribed criteria. In 2023, that number stood at 20.40%, and in 2022, it was 23.54%.

Under ‘Mission Poshan 2.0’, Gujarat has been allotted a fund of ₹2,879.30 crore in the last three years. Out of this, only funds of ₹1,310.23 crore have been utilised.