Expressing concern over the 400 reported deaths in tribal areas since January 2008, the Bombay high court, on Thursday, directed additional principal secretary Chandra Iyengar and director of health services Prakash Doke to personally visit Melghat and Dharni areas to inspect the malnutrition situation there.
Hearing a PIL filed by Dr Ravindra Kolhe and Dr Rajendra Barma on malnutrition deaths in the state, chief justice Swatanter Kumar and justice AP Deshpande directed the government to file its report on the visit within six weeks.
Jugalkishor Gilada, the petitioners’ lawyer, alleged that over 400 deaths have occurred in tribal areas since January 2008. As per Gilada, the worst-hit areas were Melghat, and Dharni in Amravati district of eastern Maharashtra. The state government has contested the petitioners’ claim on the number deaths stating that there have been only 176 deaths till July 2008.
Not satisfied by the series of government affidavits explaining the action taken to stop malnutrition-related deaths, the court asked why top-level officers should not visit these areas personally and see the situation on the ground.
The court has asked the officials to mention in the report, the steps taken to curb malnutrition deaths, whether earlier decisions have been implemented or not, and if not, who is responsible for the same. “We expect the government not to leave any stone unturned,” the court said.
m_anshika@dnaindia.net
