High Court Addresses Infant Malnutrition Crisis

Summary of Key Facts and Data from Bombay High Court Case on Malnutrition in Melghat:

1. Judicial Overview:

   • The Bombay High Court is addressing ongoing malnutrition issues in Melghat’s tribal belt.
   • The court expressed concern over infant deaths from malnutrition, with approximately 65 deaths reported since June 2025 among children aged 0-6 months.

2. Court Directives:

   • The Maharashtra government has been mandated to submit affidavits from key departmental principal secretaries within one week.
   • Senior officials directed to appear via video conference for subsequent hearings.

3. Public Interest Litigation Background:

   • The litigation originates from a 2007 petition by Rajendra Sadanand Burma and another petitioner.
   • Previous orders (July 29, 2025) for a joint report on malnutrition management have not been complied with by the state.

4. Healthcare Infrastructure Issues:

   • Raipur Sub-Centre closure for three months led to critical healthcare failures.
   • Malfunctioning medical facilities, inadequate electricity, and poor transportation conditions significantly impact maternal and child health.

5. Affidavit and Findings:

   • Affidavit dated October 16, 2025, presents grim healthcare and infrastructure challenges, including:
     • 365 villages without electricity.
     • Water supply scheme failures leading to contamination deaths.
     • A chronic shortage of medical professionals (60% of Primary Health Centres lacking regular doctors).
     • Financial allocations for healthcare reported at a mere 0.4% of Maharashtra's income.
     • Decline in per capita healthcare expenditure from ₹975 in 2019 to lower levels by 2024-2025.

6. Government Schemes Analysis:

   • Critique of the Matrutva Anudan Yojana - payments not disbursed for five years impacting 250-300 women.
   • Poshan Abhiyaan: ₹5,000 crore funds released since 2017, with only 50% utilized.

7. NGO Sector Concerns:

   • Reported irregularities with 380 NGOs listed, of which only 20 functionally active, raising concerns about financial impropriety.

8. Infrastructure Shortcomings:

   • Only 60% of roads constructed, many poorly maintained for over 20 years; critical infrastructure assessments due to Comptroller and Auditor General's reports have been ignored.
   • Past court directives (December 2001) for establishing a modern hospital at Dharni remain unfulfilled.

9. Nutrition and Welfare Services:

   • Low funding for Anganwadi services pointed out by the Bench as inadequate and needing urgent review.
   • Continuing failure to implement recommendations from Dr. Abhay Bang Committee highlights systemic deficiencies.

10. State and Union Government Roles:

    • Both Maharashtra state and the Union of India have been ordered to respond and provide comprehensive plans to address healthcare and malnutrition challenges in a week.

Constitutional and Policy Framework:

• The issues relate to the state’s obligations under the Right to Health and nutrition as part of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) under the Constitution of India, specifically Article 47 that mandates the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living.

The context presents an urgent call for systemic reform in healthcare delivery, addressing malnutrition, ensuring financial accountability, and improving the functional capacity of health-related NGOs within tribal regions.