The Bombay HC has criticised the state government for failing to check malnutrition deaths in tribal-dominated districts, even as Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said the PMO has sought information about the deaths.‘‘Where is the commitment of the state,’’ asked Acting Chief Justice A.P. Shah yesterday.The state claimed it had released Rs 18 crore to the districts of Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Amravati, Thane and Nashik, where many tribals have died due to malnourishment, in May 2004 to provide relief through various schemes, but the court questioned the usefulness of the scheme to its intended benficiaries.Meanwhile, Shinde said ‘‘the PMO has sought information regarding the malnutrition deaths’’. He, however, said reports that over 1,000 children died due to malnutrition appeared ‘‘mixed up’’.
