SUO MOTU Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In continuation of various affidavits filed on behalf of the State Government and the directions issued by this Court from time to time, further affidavit has been filed on behalf of the State Government by Dr.Raju Manohar Jotkar, Assistant Director of Health Services on September 20, 2006.

(2.) It is apparent from the affidavit dated September 20, 2006 that the State Government has failed to combat child deaths within the State, tribal as well as non-tribal areas. In 15 tribal districts of the State, in the year 2003-04, the child mortality was 8,321 while in the years 2004-05 and 2005-06, it was 8,003 and 7,700, respectively. That means, there is only a marginal decrease in child death despite the claim of the State Government that various welfare schemes have been launched in the trial districts. The statement annexed with the affidavit is also revealing and saddens us. It appears that the child death of one to six years of age has been on increase over the years except the marginal decrease last year. It leads us to infer that either the welfare schemes framed by the State Government are not being implemented properly as it should be or that such schemes have failed to have any impact. Is it not slur on the society that even after more than eight years and five decades of independence, the State is having large number of child deaths due to malnutrition as a major contributory factor In almost all the affidavits filed on behalf of the State Government, from time to time, the statement has been made that the State Government is doing its best to combat the child deaths and that the welfare schemes are being implemented, but the figures that have come on record belie the claim of the State Government.

(3.) On 12.12.2003, the State Government constituted Child Mortality Evaluation Committee under the chairmanship of Dr.Abhay Bang. The Committee comprised of 13 other members and has submitted two reports. The first report dealt with improving registration of the infant deaths and the child deaths in the tribal areas and in the second report measures to be taken for curbing infant mortality, child mortality, maternal mortality and malnutrition in the tribal districts of the State have been recommended. In the affidavits filed by the State Government from time to time, the recommendations made by Dr.Abhay Bang Committee and the actions taken in that regard have been mentioned. The facts and figures of the infant and child mortality that have come on record show that the steps taken by the State Government so far are not adequate and much more effective steps need to be taken.