The Bombay high court on Wednesday slammed the state government for its “criminal negligence” in controlling deaths due to malnutrition in the state.
The Bombay high court on Wednesday slammed the state government for its “criminal negligence” in controlling deaths due to malnutrition in the state. The court reacted furiously when a petitioner submitted that as per state government data, around 18,000 children died in 2015-16 due to malnutrition.
“It’s complete apathy on the part of the state. These 18,000 deaths were a result of criminal negligence on part of the state government,” said Justice V.M. Kanade. “Every year, the central government sanctions and transfers thousand of crores to Maharashtra. The state government also makes budgetary provision to curb malnutrition and for the improvement of tribal people, so where has all that money gone And, we want to know as to how the state is utilising the funds received by it ” said Justice Kanade while hearing the petition.
A division bench of Justice V.M. Kanade and Justice Swapana Joshi was hearing a bunch of public interest litigations (PILs) filed seeking contempt action against the state and its chief secretary for not taking steps to prevent deaths due to malnutrition.
The state government said on Wednesday that despite giving advertisements in newspapers, nobody wants to go and work in tribal areas. “We are going to recruit 179 gynecologists in the coming days. Even our government officials don’t go there,” the state said. It also informed that 287 deaths occurred in the Melghat region in Amravati district due to malnutrition in the year 2015-16.
“Provide basic amenities to government staff and doctors who are working in tribal areas. At least construct quarters for these people you have sanctioned money (for). Why don’t you give incentives to officers ” asked the court.
“What action you have taken against such officers who refused to work even they are officially transferred there ” the high court asked.
Petitioner Bandya Sane said to the court that the state government has not appointed any MBBS doctors, gynecologists and pediatricians in tribal areas. The state government has not complied with any orders of the high court, the petitioner said.
After hearing this, the court said, “This PIL was admitted in the year 2010. Since then, various benches had given various orders to curb malnutrition in the state. Tell us how many orders you have complied with.” The court also asked a deputy secretary rank officer to remain present in the court to assist the public prosecutor during hearing.
The court has kept the matter on October 14 for further hearing.
