Cuttack, Sept 13: Asking reply within three weeks on the issue of Malnutrition deaths of 19 infants in Nagada village, the Orissa High Court issued notices on Monday to both the State government and Centre.
The notice was issued by a division bench consisting of Justice Saran and Justice BR Sadangi after considering Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
Joint Secretary of Nationalist Lawyers Forum, Tapas Kumar Dwivedi had registered the PIL which stated that reason behind the deaths of poor and infants is unsuccessful implementation of various welfare schemes issued by state and Centre government for tribal areas resulting to which around 19 infants died due to malnutrition in Nagada village. On the other hand, tribal communities are suffering from unavailability of basic needs like electricity, drinking water, health care and communication facilities.
Even though Rs 2200 crore has been spent by the State government with the help of Central in the last three years to eradicate malnutrition, the death of 19 infants has created a question on the utilization of funds which should be investigated by agency like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Villages like Nagada have not received any welfare schemes among the 35 schemes which have been launched by the State and central government.
The petitioner also urged for strict action against administrative inefficiency which caused underdevelopment in the area and stated that villagers are affected due to mining activities which pollutes the water and air of the area.
Regarding this case, parties have been made by the Chief Secretary, Health Secretary, Jajpur District Collectors, union Health secretary, Union Rural Development Secretary and CBI.
