The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that in Palghar district of Maharastra 600 kids have died from malnutrition in the year 2016. The worst affected areas are Mokhada, Jawar, Wada and Vikramgadh taluks in the district. The Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra calling for a detailed report in the matter within 4 weeks. The Commission has observed that the State authorities are required to be conscious towards the plight of the residents, especially the children and aged persons. Such a huge number of deaths of the children, in a year amount to violation of right to life and health of the poor victims.
The excerpts of the news stories reveal that the area having tribal population are the most vulnerable, who are already affected by poverty, illiteracy and lack of awareness towards government welfare and health care schemes. As shown, a tribal woman lost her two year old child due to severe malnutrition in the month of August, 2016. The angry residents of a tribal village Khoch confronted the Tribal Welfare Minister of the State, who stated 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. In another news report states that the district administration has undertaken the screening of all children in the Palghar’s four tribal talukas following a large number of malnutrition cases reported from these places. The work is being done with the help of the Anganwadi Workers.
