Rajasthan tops in reducing infant mortality

Jaipur, Aug 19 (UNI) Rajasthan has made significant reduction in Infant Mortality Rate(IMR) during 2004 which is the second highest in the country.

According to the Systematic Registration Survey (SRS) Rajasthan has achieved an eight point reduction in infant mortality which is second only to Chhattisgarh.

The infant moratlity in Rajasthan has reduced from 75 to 67 in the 2004 while Chattisgarh has achieved 10 point reduction from 70 to 60 during the same period. Maharashtra, Orissa, and West Bengal registered 6 percent reduction in IMR. In Maharashtra IMR was 42 in 2003 has reduced to 36 in 2004 while in Orissa IMR redcued from 83 to 77. Similarly IMR in West Bengal droped to 40 from 46.

Deputy chairman of the Planning Commission appreciated the efforts put in by the state government in improving the nutritional status of women and children by building capacity of women through self employment.

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