Rubina Khan Shapoo NDTV, Sunday May 2, 2010, Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh : The government is all set to pass the Food Bill that aims at giving monthly subsidised foodgrains to families Below the Poverty Line (BPL). However, the picture is not as peachy as it may seem. In a shocking story from the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh nine tribal children have died in just five months due to malnutrition. This incident has occurred even as hundreds of tribal families continue to get their share of food but only on paper.
Kashi, is one of the Sahariya tribals from Todha village in the district who has lost her three-year-old daughter. The reason not hard to find. "This is actually cattle feed. But we eat it too," says Kashi.
The overall death toll between December 2009 and April 2010 of children due to malnutrition related diseases in Shivpuri district to now 23. The Sahariyas are not only one of the most primitive tribes in India but are also among its poorest. Malnutrition deaths are a critical reason of untimely deaths in the community.
As per law, they are entitled to 35 kilos of wheat, five kilos of sugar and five litres of kerosene every month under the Antodaya scheme. In Todha village, however, the ration cards are operated by the sarpanch in collusion with the ration shop owner. The result: Cards are updated flawlessly while half the amount of food is given. Akki, a tribal from the village tells us he is given 25 kilos of wheat. But how much does he write in the card? Thirty-five kilos.
In nearby Pohri, another tribal-dominated district block ration delivered is for over 40,000 residents when the block has only 35,000 people who hold ration cards. An RTI application has proved that more than 5,000 cards are bogus.
However, Raj Kumar Pathak, Collector, Shivpuri district says, "There are no fraudulent ration cards. A probe is on." Malnutrition among children in Madhya Pradesh is 60 per cent, the highest in the country. In its tribal belts like Shivpuri it is even more intense. In the critical battle against hunger, the tribals are becoming the easiest victims.
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