The Orissa High Court has expressed serious concern over the fate of young children, many of whom are members of scheduled tribes and have been reported to be suffering from chronic malnutrition and extended starvation.
According to the PIL, the situation of children in various areas of Jajpur district is so bad that many of them have died as a result.
Taking note of the circumstance, a bench comprised of Chief Justice Murlidhar and Justice G. Satapathy stated, “It is obvious that this requires immediate attention at the hands of the State Government as well as the Union of India.”
The court ordered the Additional Chief Secretary, Women and Child Development (W&CD) Department, State of Odisha, and the Secretary, Ministry of W&CD, Government of India to file affidavits responding to the petition in paragraphs by May 15.
Mantu Das, the petitioner, has stated that children in the Danagadi Block, particularly in 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 further informs the court that the absence of Aadhar cards has resulted in these children’s exclusion from the public distribution system and other welfare schemes.
“It is highlighted that only 160 out of 309 villagers in Ghatisahi village have Aadhar cards and thus are unable to obtain monthly quotas from the public distribution system,” the court stated.
Issuing a notice to the State and the Centre, the court further 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 be present online at the next hearing.
“In the meantime, the Collector, Jajpur, along with the CDMO, Jajpur, will undertake a visit to the Danagadi Block, specifically the affected villages, including village Ghatisahi, and submit a report to this Court on the corrective ameliorative action taken before the next date,” the court stated, setting the matter for further hearing on May 18.
