Requires Immediate Attention: Orissa High Court Seeks Report On Prevalence Of Chronic Malnutrition Among Children In Jajpur

The Orissa High Court has expressed serious concern over the plight of young children, many of them belonging scheduled tribes, stated to be suffering from chronic malnutrition and prolonged hunger. The PIL states the condition of the children in various areas of Jajpur district is so dire that many of them have died.Taking note of the situation, the bench of Chief Justice Murlidhar and Justice G. Satapathy said, “It is obvious that this requires immediate attention at the hands of the State Government as well as the Union of India.”The court directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Women and Child Development (W&CD) Department, State of Odisha as well as the Secretary, Ministry of W&CD, Government of India to file their affidavits giving a para-wise reply to the petition to by May 15.The petitioner Mantu Das has highlighted that the children in the Danagadi Block, particularly from villages such as Ghatisahi, Kiajhar, Salinjagha, Nadiabhanga, Dhuligarh, Chania, and Anagundi in Jajpur District, are extremely susceptible to illnesses and have lost their lives.The petition has also brought to the court's attention that the absence of Aadhar cards has resulted in the exclusion of these children from the public distribution system and other welfare schemes.“It is pointed out that in Ghatisahi village only 160, out of 309 villagers have Aadhar cards and therefore are unable to get the monthly quotas from the public distribution system,” the court noted.Issuing notice to the State and Centre, the court also asked the Collector of Jajpur; the CDMO of Jajpur; the Secretary of W&CD of the Government of India, and the Additional Chief Secretary of W&CD of the State of Odisha, to remain present online during the next hearing."In the meanwhile, the Collector, Jajpur along with the CDMO, Jajpur will undertake a visit to the Danagadi Block and in particular, the affected villages including village Ghatisahi and submit a report to this Court on the corrective ameliorative action taken before the next date," said the court, while listing the matter for hearing on May 18.Case Title: Mantu Das v.Union of India and othersCounsel for Petitioner: Mr. Afraaz SuhailCounsel for Respondent: Mr. D.R. Bhokta, C.G.C. for Union of India,Mr. Debakanta Mohanty, A.G.A. for the State.Click Here To Read Order

Requires Immediate Attention: Orissa High Court Seeks Report On Prevalence Of Chronic Malnutrition Among Children In Jajpur

Aiman J. Chishti

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