Palghar kids death: Human rights panel issues notice to state

Taking suo motu cognizance of media reports about 600 kids dying of malnutrition in the Palghar district this year, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday issued a notice to the Devendra Fadnavis-led government. The commission further told the state to submit a detailed report regarding the matter within four weeks.

"The commission has observed that the state authorities are required to be conscious towards the plight of residents, especially children and elderly. Such a huge number of deaths in a year amount to violation of right to life and health of the poor victims," stated the notice sent to the Maharashtra chief secretary.

It further stated, "Excerpts of news stories reveal that the areas having tribal population are the most vulnerable... already affected by poverty, illiteracy and lack of awareness towards government welfare and healthcare schemes."
The notice also mentioned a tribal woman who lost her two-year-old child, Sagar Wagh, to severe malnutrition in August this year.

"The angry residents of a tribal village, Khoch, confronted the tribal welfare minister of the state, who said that the government is doing its work and the schemes are being implemented. The locals have alleged that the funds are being allocated but not reaching the beneficiaries," read the notice, seeking the state response over the allegations and news reports.

Meanwhile, chief secretary Swadhin Kshatriya remained unavailable for comments.