Suppression of UNICEF Data to Shield Gujarat

Newsclick interviewed Amit Sengupta of Delhi Science Forum on the "Rapid Survey on Children" below age of 6 years. The survey was done by UNICEF on behalf of UPA-2 Government in 2013-2014 but the data has yet not been made public by the incumbent NDA regime. Amit explains that though the rate of malnutrition has come down by more than 10 % but India is still behind Sub-Sahara African region. In addition to it, Gujarat which was projected as model state by NDA government has higher number of malnourished” children in comparison to the “Bimaru” state like Bihar and M.P. This is one among the major reasons why Modi led NDA government has yet not published this data. Amit explains that the suppression of data is an attempt to hide growing inequality due to pro corporate polices of the current government. He also explained the role of Left Parties in ensuring pro people welfare schemes which are major reason for decline in the malnourishment.