Elimination of Identity-based Discrimination in Food and Nutrition Programmes in India

Abstract

India's growth story in recent years is being criticised for its inability to reduce the ever-increasing income inequality and higher incidence of malnutrition among its children, particularly those belonging to marginalised groups such as Scheduled Castes (SCs). This article examines the prevalence of identity-based discrimination in health and nutritional programmes and finds it to be one of the important reasons for the higher incidence of malnutrition among SC children. While examining the guidelines of two major nutritional support programmes – the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and the Mid Day Meal (MDM) Scheme – the article argues for making these more caste- and gender-sensitive in order to eliminate discrimination. It offers policy recommendations to address and monitor the discrimination in nutrition programmes. These include greater participation by marginalised groups like SCs in service planning and delivery, ensuring quality and promoting accountability; training and sensitisation of service providers; and the revision of administrative guidelines.