MPHC to file report on malnutrition deaths

Jabalpur, Sep 27: Acting on a public interest petition on alleged malnutrition deaths of children in four districts of Madhya Pradesh, the state High Court directed the Chief Secretary to submit a situation report on management of anganwadi centres in every district.

While hearing an interim application on the plea by the Right to Food Group Madhya Pradesh on Friday, Sep 26 Chief Justice Anang Kumar Patnaik and Justice Ajit Singh also directed the collectors of the affected Satna, Shivpuri, Sheopur and Khandwa districts to submit reports on anganwadi centres by Oct 13.

''A total 159 children died of malnutrition in the four districts,'' Petitioner's Counsel Raghavendra Kumar submitted. The application prayed that an Action-Taken report be sought from the governemnt, responsibility fixed against guilty officials and ex- gratia paid.

In its affidavit, the government said that monitoring and survey teams were formed in the affected districts and their report was awaited. The bench responded by saying that more child deaths could not be risked until the report's submission.

UNI