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On India's Global Hunger Index ranking, Mahua Moitra's ‘ghoospetias’ dig
The Modi government rejected the findings, claiming it was an effort to taint the country's image and the index suffers from serious methodological issues and is an "erroneous measure" of hunger.
Trinamool Congres MP Mahua Moitra on Saturday took a dig at the Centre after India was ranked 107 out of 121 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2022. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan of “na khaunga, na khane dunga” (would not take bribes, nor let anyone do so), Moitra tweeted, “Quite literally Modiji’s slogan has ensured India ranks 107/122 in Global Hunger Index.”
In another tweet, the TMC's firebrand MP said, “India at 107/122 countries in 2022 global hunger index. Messrs Modi & Shah - all our neighbours who you so lovingly call termites & ‘ghoospetias’ are doing better than us ! Well done!”
India ranked 107 out of 121 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2022, much behind its South Asia neighbours, with the child wasting rate at 19.3 per cent, the highest in the world.
Also Read | Global Hunger Index 2022: India slips six places, ranked 107 of 121 countries
The Modi government, however, rejected the findings, claiming it was an effort to taint the country's image and the index suffers from serious methodological issues and is an "erroneous measure" of hunger, while opposition leaders said the government must take responsibility for its "failure".
Watch: 'Obvious Bias': Modi govt lashes Global Hunger Index ranking India behind Pak I Details
With a score of 29.1, the level of hunger in India has been labelled "serious".
The Women and Child Development ministry, in a statement, said three out of the four indicators used for the calculation of the index are related to the health of children and cannot be representative of the entire population.
"The index is an erroneous measure of hunger and suffers from serious methodological issues," the ministry said.
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool for comprehensively measuring and tracking hunger at global, regional, and national levels.
The Congress also hit out at the BJP government, saying it is "living in denial" and is suppressing facts.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said India has slipped in the hunger index yet again, now ranking 107, lagging behind every South Asian country except Afghanistan.
"BJP's living in denial and trying to suppress facts has led India to this massive crisis," he said on Twitter.
"Are there anymore excuses still left, Modi ji," he asked, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Congress also put out a tweet alleging that the "Modi government is equal to disaster".
"India ranks 107th in the Hunger Index, out of a list of 121 countries. Till last year the ranking was 101.
"Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sudan, Nigeria, Rwanda. These countries are in a better position than us. Was this 'Acche Din' promised by the fake Vishwaguru," the Congress posted in Hindi on its official Twitter handle.
(With inputs from agencies)
