Right to food campaign against malnutrition in Patalgarh

Subject: Right to food campaign to create awareness about the malnutrition condition causing children deaths in Patalgarh village in Madhya Pradesh.

We, the undersigned, would like to focus your attention to the grave and critical condition that has arisen in Patalgarh village in Madhya Pradesh where 13 children have died due to malnutrition and measles- a matter that needs urgent intervention.

As per the analysis of the situation,, 93\% of Sahariya children are victims of sever malnourishment and 15\% are almost on the verge of death, due to malnourishment. The average life span of a Sahariya is 45 years, which is 25\% less than that of an average mans life span. The conclusions of this survey were even accepted by the Supreme Court. It is difficult to trace even a single child, youth or a family that is not a victim of severe malnourishment and anemia.

Present scenario at Patalgarh:
There is only a temporary Anganwadi in the Village which has been closed for four months,
The ANM has not visited the village for a long time,
Medical camps and immunization has not been done.
The Fair Price Shop has not been distributing food grains for the past 3 months.
The validity of the temporary ration cards given to the villagers has expired last December and neither have they been renewed nor have new cards been issued.
None of the pension schemes have been implemented.
The NREGS Scheme that aims at providing employment to the needy is also not being implemented.

We would like to address following issues by signing the petition:

1. Accountability: For deaths due to malnutrition, for non-functioning of Anganwadis. Accepting that the cause of child death in this area is due to unavailability of supplementary nutrition for children.

2. Transparency and Right to Information about budget allocations, status of malnutrition in every district and data collected on the status of child health and immunization programs.

3. Action Required: Increase in budget allocation to tackle malnutrition and Increase in number of anganwadis.

This petition will be addressed to:

1. Justice A. S. Anand
National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, INDIA

2. Dr. N.C. Saxena and Mr. Harsh Mander
Commissioners, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi, INDIA

3. Shri Shiv Raj Singh Chauhan
Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh, INDIA.

4. Shri Rakesh Sahni
Chief Secretary, Govt of Madhya Pradesh, INDIA

5. Shri L.K. Advani
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, New Delhi, INDIA

6. Mr. Jean Ziegler
UNCHR, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Geneva, SWITZERLAND

7. Mr. Anthony Banbury
Regional Director, World Food Program, Lumpini, Patumwan, Bangkok, THAILAND

8. Mr. Gian Pietro Bordignon
Country Director, World Food Program, New Delhi, INDIA

For more information on reports and statistics of the affected area contact:

Right to Food Campaign Madhya Pradesh Support Group
E7/226, First Floor, Opp. Dhanvantri Complex, Arera Colony, Shahpura, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Phone- 0755-4252789. Email- [email protected]

Foe details about this petition contact: [email protected]

Sincerely,
The Undersigned