Joblessness has deprived children of most of the families of Below Poverty Line (BPL) category of the right to education and nutritional facilities in Jammu & Kashmir like many states and union territories of the country but the plight of the children of the families of such a low income category has gone unnoticed during the pandemic period. Unfortunately both the education and as well as the nutrition of the children of the families of BPL category deserves the attention of both the government and as well as the civil society. While the fact remains that mid day meal has reduced the intensity of malnutrition among children of the families of BPL ( Below Poverty Line ) category but after the closure of schools the mid day meal scheme consequently could not be implemented the way it was implemented in the pre-covid normality days and consequently nutrition of the children of the families of BPL category did not receive the attention it deserved. During the pandemic period the issues concerning both education and as well as the nutrition of the children of the families of BPL category were not attended as seriously as they should have been taken during the high intensity two back to back pandemic periods in last two consecutive years one after the other. Since procedures and processes for implementing both the mid day meal scheme and as well as the distribution of nutritious food among the beneficiaries at the anganwari centres were changed immediately after the breakout of the pandemic, the grievances of the people of BPL (Below Poverty Line) category over both the quantity and quality of food to children are growing day after and month after month.
Keeping in view the intensifying concerns of people on the health and education of children in a low intensity pandemic scenario , the issues demanding priority include the rights of children to nutrition and opportunities of livelihood to their parents .
Since nutrition is must for growth of mind and body of children, the issue deserves an immediate attention and intervention for raising both the quantity and as well as the quality of food distributed among the children either in schools through mid day meal scheme or at the aganwari centres. It may be mentioned here that malnutrition is no way less in Jammu & Kashmir than the national average triggering high concerns across the country. The situation on ground differs from the figures place in public domain either by the government or by the civil society groups and non governmental organizations (NGOS). Keeping in view the intensifying concerns of people on the health and education of children in a low intensity pandemic scenario , the issues demanding priority include the rights of children to nutrition and opportunities of livelihood to their parents .
