The Division Bench of the Orissa High Court, comprising Chief Justice Murlidhar and Justice G. Satapathy in the case of Mantu Das v.Union of India and others has observed that the issue of malnutrition among children is a serious matter that needs urgent attention and action.
Facts of the Case
The Petitioner has filed a petition highlighting the plight of very young children, many of them belonging to the scheduled tribes, in the Danagadi Block and mostly from villages Ghatisahi, Kiajhar, Salinjagha, Nadiabhanga, Dhuligarh, Chania and Anagundi in Jajpur Districts, who are suffering from chronic malnutrition, living under semistarvation and prolonged hunger. They are vulnerable to diseases and many have lost their lives.
Decision of the Court
The Court perused the facts and arguments of the case and expounded that it is obvious that this requires immediate attention at the hands of the State Government as well as the Union of India and issued notice to the respondent which was accepted by the Additional Government Advocate for the State.
The Court further directsed that both the Additional Chief Secretary, Women and Child Development (W&CD) Department, State of Odisha as well as the Secretary, Ministry of W&CD, Government of India will file their respective affidavits giving a para-wise reply to the petition not later than 15th May, 2023.
Case Details
Case:- W.P.(C) No.12966 of 2023
Petitioner:- Mantu Das
Respondent:- Union of India and others
Counsel for the Petitioner– Mr. Afraaz Suhail
Counsel for the Respondent - Mr. P.K. Parhi
Judge: Chief Justice Murlidhar and Justice G. Satapathy
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