High Court directs State Govt to provide food grains to Dying tribals by June 30

Staff Reporter

NAGPUR bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the State Government to ensure adequate supply of food grains to before June 30. Similarly the High Court has sought a list of erring officials who failed to do so during last year and current year along with postal departmental action. The High Court also asked the chief secretary to personally look into the matter and ensure scrupulous compliance of order and submit list of erring officials.

A division bench consisting of Justice Dilip Sinha and Justice A P bhangala while hearing a letter-petition filed by Madhukar Gumble and Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti president Kishor tiwari regarding implementation of Khawati scheme in tribal areas. Due to failure of officials’ machinery to supply adequate food grains before onset of rainy season, malnutrition deaths have occurred. Under Khawati scheme, 70 % aid is provided in the form of food grains while 30% is given in cash.

The High Court while pulling up the authorities, lamented that despite several orders issued from time to time, the officials have failed to distribute food grain. Maharashtra is considered as a progressive and better administered state and has a separate tribal welfare department, commissionerate and dedicated funds; even then the implementation of such good scheme is far from satisfactory.

Amicus Curiae Firdos Mirza drew attention towards GR dated March 24, 2008 pertaining to supply of food grains to tribals and action in case of failure of concerned officials, Additional Government pleader Bharti Dangre fairly conceded that no instructions have been given to her despite repeated follow-up. Adv. Mukesh Samarth appearing for Tribal Welfare Corporation claimed that so far food grain had not been supplied to them and clarified that the corporation is merely distributing agency

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