Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Friday asked the state government whether an expert agency had conducted a scientific study in the Melghat region of Vidarbha, as well as other tribal areas of the state, to tackle the issue of malnutrition deaths and illnesses.
A division bench headed by Justice A. S. Oka was hearing a bunch of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) highlighting the rise in malnutrition deaths and illnesses among those living in the tribal belt of the state, especially the Melghat region.
On Friday, the court sought to know from state counsel Neha Bhide, if any overall study was carried out in the concerned areas to understand the problem and come out with suggestions. “We need an independent scientific study to be carried out by an expert agency. Institutions like IIT or TISS could be appointed and their expert team could visit the places and understand the issue, health and nutrition-wise, and suggest what could be done,” Justice Oka said.
One of the petitioners, Purnima Upadhyay, said that malnutrition was now also affecting adults. “The government should frame a policy to address the issue,” she said. The bench posted the petition for further hearing on September 11.
Different benches of the high court have passed several orders on the issue over the last two years, directing the state government to ensure those in the tribal areas in the state get adequate nutrition, health care, sanitation, and education facilities.
