SHILLONG, Sep 16: Opposition Chief Whip George B Lyngdoh on Friday asked the state government to table the report of inquiry into the alleged rice scam in the Assembly.
“I, on behalf of the Opposition, demand that the government table the rice scam report for the information of the people. We cannot compromise on children’s nutrition. Such blot brought to the fore the inadequacy in the monitoring system and the implementation of the programme,” he said in the Assembly.
Lyngdoh said rice meant for the children’s programme was allegedly siphoned off and seized in Assam. He said it is important to know as to what happened to the inquiry.
Pointing out that the number of stunted children under-five years increased to a staggering 46.5%, he said this is alarming as there is deprivation of nutrition.
He said it was expected the programmes of the government would address the issue as growth was witnessed in the past, but the latest figures show the nutritional programmes are not yielding the desired results.
Quoting figures from the Rural Health Statistic report, he said the shortfall of rural health facilities in the state is over 46% as against the national average of 24%. He insisted on the setting up of rural health infrastructure, stating that many habitations are still far from medical facilities.
Referring to the latest report of National Family Health Survey 2019-20, Lyngdoh said the neonatal mortality rate and the mortality rate under five increased to 20.6 and 42.6 in rural areas.
He said according to the latest SRS bulletin 2022, Meghalaya has the highest infant mortality rate among small states – 30 in rural areas and 16 in urban with makes the state average 29.
“This is alarming considering that IMR is a critical indicator of child health and the kind of facilities which people have to get access to,” Lyngdoh said.
The Umroi MLA said child marriage has increased to an alarming 19.1%.
He said child marriage, stunting, anemic cases and single mothers are factors pulling down households in rural areas and therefore, a comprehensive policy has be brought in to tackle and sensitise the youth and address the problems.
