Bombay High Court Condemns Maharashtra's Failure to Address Malnutrition

In a scathing rebuke, the Bombay High Court has condemned the Maharashtra government for its "extremely casual approach" to the issue of malnutrition among children in the state. The court's criticism comes in the wake of a disturbing revelation that 65 infants aged between zero and six months have died due to malnutrition in the Melghat region since June of this year.

The court expressed deep concern over the government's lax attitude, stating that the situation is "horrific" and the authorities should be just as worried as the court. The judges were hearing a series of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) that raised alarm about the prevalence of severe malnutrition among tribal children and the recurring deaths of pregnant women, particularly in the Melghat and Dharni regions of Vidarbha.

The court noted that despite a 2001 judicial order directing the state to construct a multi-specialty hospital in the area, no action has been taken. The judges also highlighted that while the government claims to have everything in order, the "ground reality" is vastly different, indicating a severe lack of accountability.

The bench pointed out that the region lacks basic medical infrastructure, with no paediatricians or gynaecologists, and the government has only assigned doctors with a Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine, and Surgery (BAMS) qualification to these sensitive tribal areas. The court has scheduled the next hearing on this matter for November 24.