Good health data is rare in India. The last time the country published a comprehensive, state-wide survey was back in 2007.

So why hasnt a vast survey of women and children carried out by the Indian government with the UN agency for children, Unicef, been released?

Indias so-called Rapid Survey of Children was a huge undertaking. Almost 100,000 children were measured and weighed and more than 200,000 people interviewed across the countrys 29 states.

The final report was due for publication in October last year, the BBC understands. Yet, more than half a year later, the important body of data remains secret.

Leading development economist Jean Dreze describes the delay in publication as an absolute scandal.

All the neighbouring countries including Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Pakistan and even Afghanistan have up to date nutritional surveys, he says.

It is hard to account for a 10-year gap without attributing some sort of political reluctance.

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