The government on Monday clarified that six-year-old Meghala did not die of malnutrition. Meghala died of infection, Women and Child Development Minister Umashree informed the Assembly while replying to a question raised by BJP floor leader Jagadish Shettar.
According to Umashree, Meghala was provided with nutritious food in the anganwadi under the Integrated Child Development Services. She was responding and her weight had even increased from 10.80 kg to 11.20 kg, Umashree said denying charges that Meghala had died due to malnutrition. The government has decided to give Meghala’s family a BPL card, she said.
As many as 3,460 children suffering from malnutrition in the state and the government has taken steps to provide them with nutritious food.
Earlier, Shettar and Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa had a tiff as the latter asked the former CM to restrict his speech. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah intervened and wondered why Shettar, known for maintaining his cool, was losing temper. “You are our role model, but today you are losing cool,” he told Shettar to defuse the tension between the Speaker and him.
Health Minister U T Khader and Umashree on Monday visited Murugamma, mother of the six-year-old girl, Meghala, who died due to malnutrition in DJ Halli.
