‘A very sorry state of affairs’: Bombay High Court pulls up Maharashtra Govt over malnutrition deaths of infants in Melghat

The bench termed the situation as “horrific”, while orally remarking that the infant deaths showed the kind of seriousness the government has on the issue, and such an approach was “extremely casual.” “You (state government) should be worried. Just as we are concerned, you all should be too,” said the bench.

The bench also asked the principal secretaries of state departments, including finance, public health, women and child welfare, and tribal affairs, to remain present during the next hearing on the issue.

The bench said the present situation showed “a very sorry state of affairs”, and the issue related to public health was being taken “so lightly” by the authorities and “some accountability” shall be ensured.

The bench further asked the authorities to provide an incentive to the doctors posted in the tribal areas, considering the conditions, and scheduled a further hearing for November 24.

The bench also observed that the Bombay High Court has been issuing directives on the issue for nearly two decades, and the government had made certain assurances; however, the ground reality was different.

Several benches of the HC have passed orders on the issue, observing that “lack of specialist doctors and medical attendants to assist them is a major cause affecting the tribal women and children” along with lack of other facilities that lead to such deaths. Earlier, the Bombay High Court asked the Maharashtra Government to take adequate steps to ensure malnutrition deaths in the region are reduced to zero.

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