Criminal neglect

Hunger is a scourge India is supposed to have conquered a long time ago according to official handbooks. Periodic reports of malnutrition deaths even in Maharashtra, an advanced state, prove otherwise. Reports of the deaths of children from malnutrition in Mokhada seven years ago and in Maleghat three years ago appear to have galvanised the government and local administrations to do something only for as long as the shock effects on the public lasted. Such measures as were taken were temporary, emergency measures to deal with a local crisis. No lessons have been learned. Long-term and regular monitoring of the condition of vulnerable and mainly poor tribal communities, essential especially at this time of year is completely absent. Remote communities left to fend for themselves only come to government and public attention when disaster hits. As for substantial programmes to raise nutrition and health levels of tribal communities in the state, they exist only on paper. This is proved by the spectre ofmalnutrition haunting Shahpur taluka just now. Five children have already died needlessly of malnutrition and others could be at death8217;s door unless food supplies and medical assistance are provided urgently. It is shocking beyond belief that mothers have to watch their children dying for lack of food in the midst, as it were, of plenty and two hours away from the seat of government in Mumbai. That this should occur shows not only the utter incompetence and callousness of the local administration and local politicians but also the failure of government policies. Very clearly no one in government knows or bothers to find out what is happening right at their doorstep. Malnutrition is not an affliction that strikes overnight stealthily. The tribal community in Dand lives on the edge of poverty at all times. Food intake has been below normal for many months. That much should have been apparent to any local official. But who cares? The anganwadi worker had his hand in the till, medical workers who should haverecognised the symptoms of malnutrition did not report them and political representatives say they were unaware of the crisis. This is nothing short of criminal neglect.