Maharashtra: Bombay HC pulls up govt for malnutrition in Melghat

The Bombay High Court  has come down heavily on the Maharashtra government over the issue of malnutrition and infant mortality.

in Melghat.  "If 18,000 children are dying every year due to malnutrition then the so called prosperity which the government is claiming to achieve is of no use", the Bombay High Court said while hearing a bunch of petitions highlighting suffering of children and women in Melghat area. 

A division bench of Justice VM Kanade and Justice PR Bora said "India has a child population of 43 million of which 50% are below the poverty line. This is a human problem and its needs to be tackled in an appropriate manner." 

The bench has suggested the Maharashtra government to create a separate fund allocation in its forthcoming budget to address issues pertaining to malnutrition, infant and child deaths. "Don't wait for court orders, do it on your own", it said. 

The court has also asked the government to give it a presentation on March 1, detailing steps it has taken to resolve the issue.  

Purnima Upadhyay a member of NGO Khoj has moved the court highlighting the issues of lack of doctors other medical and ration facilities in Melghat area, in district Amravati. 

The court has asked the core committee set up comprising of secretaries from different government departments to meet regularly to attend to the requirements of the area. 

Chief Secretary of the state heads the core committee.