The Centre on May 7 said that the World Bank had approved a $200-million loan for implementing the National Nutrition Mission.

"The loan approved on May 7 will support the mission in 315 districts across all states and union territories. It will help achieve the goal of reducing stunting in children in the 0-6 age group from 38.4 per cent to 25 per cent by 2022," a Women and Child Development Ministry statement said.

The scheme will also ensure convergence of all nutrition-related schemes and provide performance-based incentives to states and community nutrition and health workers, facilitating a focus on results. Focussing on improvement in coverage and quality of Integrated Child Development Services' nutrition services to pregnant/nursing women as well as children under the age of three.

The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan. A team has been formed on 'Poshan Abhiyaan', an apex body to formulate overall policies, guide and monitor all nutrition-based schemes, which will submit its report to the government every six months.