Average daily calorie intake in rural India falls 5%: Govt

The average daily intake of calories of the rural population, as per the NSSO data, dropped by 4.9 per cent or 106 kilocalories from 1993-94 to 2004-05, Parliament was informed today.

"As per NSSO report based on the survey conducted by it in July 2004-June 2005, the average per capita calorie in-take at all India level in rural areas is 2,047 kilo calories as compared to 2,153 kilo calories based on the results of similar survey undertaken during July 1993-June 1994," Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Statistics and Programme Implementation Srikant Kumar Jena told in a written reply to Lok Sabha.

This shows a drop of 106 kilocalories and percentage decrease of 4.9 per cent in per capita calorie intake in rural areas over 2004-05, he said.

Jena said the government has taken a number of steps to increase opportunities for livelihood/wage employment and food security of rural people so as to enable them to have access to availability of food and thus better intake of calories.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), Swarnajayanti Gramin Swarojgar Yojana are some of the prominent wage employment generation schemes focussing at rural population in the country, he said.

Targeted Public Distribution System, Annapurna Scheme for Senior Citizens, Mid-Day Meal are amongst the schemes targeted for food security, Jena said.

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