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Bombay High Court raps state for its apathy to curb malnutrition deaths

The bench wants appointment of docs and provision of food to be made in three months

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The Bombay High Court on Monday came down heavily on the state government for neglecting to curb child deaths in tribal areas and not abiding by directions and orders passed by the court.

A division bench of Justice VM Kanade and Justice AM Badar warned the district collectors and chief secretary that within three months if their orders for appointing doctors, providing proper food and other directions are not implemented, it will pass appropriate order directing action against them.

The bench referred to the issue of infant mortality and child/mother deaths due to malnourishment as equally important to farmers death and financial assistance given to them by the state in the form of loan waiver. "State government must give more importance to this as tribals are socially backward as well as economically and politically. Annually around 11,000 children are dying in tribal areas of Maharashtra," the court said.

Reprimanding the government for showing zero political will to address the issue, Justice Kanade said, "We have been very patient. Trusted assurances have been made by the government, but we find the state is paying lip service to our orders." The court has asked state to place on record steps it has taken to implement court orders/directions by August 14.

The directions were made after Purnima Upadhyay appearing for NGO Khoj which petitioned to the court, highlighting the enormity of malnutrition in Melghat area, informed that not many doctors are available in the tribal areas for assisting women, leading to several deaths of children and their mothers.

Poor measures

HC reprimanded the government for showing zero political will to address the issue 
It has asked authorities to implement measures in three months time
Annually, around 11,000 children are dying in tribal areas of Maharashtra

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