High Court Criticizes Maharashtra's Malnutrition Failure

Notes on Infant Mortality due to Malnutrition in Melghat, Maharashtra

Judicial Context:

• Court: Bombay High Court
• Judges: Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Sandesh D. Patil
• Case Reference: Public Interest Litigation filed in 2007 by Rajendra Sadanand Burma
• Previous Orders: The court had previously directed action on malnutrition issues (notably on July 29, 2025).

Current Findings:

• Infant Deaths: Approximately 65 infants aged 0-6 months have died due to malnutrition between June 2025 and November 2025.
• Healthcare Failures:
  • Inadequate healthcare infrastructure noted; Raipur Sub-Centre in Chikhaldara shut for three months.
  • Issues include lack of electricity and healthcare professionals, causing severe healthcare delays leading to fatalities.

Key Complaints:

• Transportation Issues: Roads between Bairagad and Dharni are in such disrepair that childbirth during transport has been hazardous.
• Malnutrition Oversight: The court has criticized the State for non-compliance with past directives and non-implementation of recommendations by the Dr. Abhay Bang Committee.

Economic and Healthcare Indicators:

• Expenditure on Healthcare: Maharashtra reportedly spends only 0.4% of its income on healthcare. Per capita spending decreased from ₹975 in 2019 to even lower in subsequent years.
• Employment Gaps:
  • 60% of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) lack regular doctors.
  • Vacancies remain for medical officers and health workers, affecting service capability.
• Non-functionality of Medical Services: Mobile medical vans are out of operation due to lack of funds and parts.

Government Schemes and Failures:

• Matrutva Anudan Yojana: Payments not disbursed for five years affecting 250-300 pregnant women.
• Poshan Abhiyaan: ₹5,000 crore allocated since 2017 but only half utilized, indicating substantial lapses highlighted by NITI Aayog.
• NGO Sector Concerns: Allegations of inefficiency and functional discrepancies, with only 20 of 380 listed NGOs operational.

Infrastructure Concerns:

• Road Construction: Only 60% completed, with many roads poorly maintained for over two decades.
• CAG Findings: Critiques on the failure to meet basic health service needs have been ignored.

Court Directions:

• Affidavit Submission: State directed to submit affidavits from Principal Secretaries of key departments (Tribal Affairs, Public Health, etc.) within one week.
• Union of India: Ordered to also file a response to previous observations within a week.
• Video Conference Appearance: Senior officials required to appear in the next hearing via video conferencing.

Funding and Allocation Issues:

• Nutrition Allocations under Anganwadi Services: Described as inadequate, prompting the need for reconsideration and enhancement of financial allocations for addressing malnutrition.

Conclusion

The ongoing struggle with malnutrition in Melghat's tribal belt raises significant concerns about healthcare infrastructure, government accountability, and compliance with economic and public health mandates, highlighting the critical need for intervention and reform in Maharashtra's health policies and the implementation of existing schemes.