*Among the 49, 39 suffer from the worst grade malnutrition and need urgent attention.

At the national level, Uttar Pradesh does not fare badly in terms of malnutrition among children aged below six years. But this may not be the picture in parts of the state. According to various surveys, districts of Bundelkhand and Purvanchal contribute a high percentage of Grade III and Grade IV malnutrition to national figures.

The surveys have been conducted by organisations like People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights, the UP Hunger Commission and the Citizens’ Initiative for the Rights of Children Under Six — an alliance of MPs and social activists. Recently, they sent their figures to the Centre for immediate attention.

Sample this: In the last one year, around 150 cases of malnutrition in the under six category have been registered in the Chitrakoot Division of Bundelkhand region. Out of these, around 70 per cent are Grade III. If immediate attention is not given, they may fall into the worst grade — Grade IV — soon.

“For the last five years there has been a drought in Bundelkhand. The worst-hit are indeed the children,” said Bhagwat Prasad, a social activist working in the region.

A recent survey conducted by the state Hunger Commission in the Jhansi division found that 75 per cent children below the age of six were suffering from Grade III malnutrition and only 6 per cent of them were of normal weight. Even 15 per cent adults were found suffering from Grade III malnutrition.

“Lack of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) facilities in the region have only added to the children’s woes,” said Arundhati Dhuru, advisor to the Supreme Court on Right to Food and Malnutrition.

In Purvanchal region, the situation is similar and in a few cases even worse. According to a report of the Asian Human Rights Commission, more than 80 per cent children of this region are suffering from the Grade III and Grade IV malnutrition in the in the 0-6 age group. Almost 70 per cent of these children belong to the SC or ST groups.