The Union Home Ministry has asked the state government about the number of children who have died so far at the relief camps in western Uttar Pradesh, the reasons for the deaths and the steps taken to prevent further casualties.
"We have sent four letters, beginning December 8. The latest one was sent today. However, UP government has ignored all our queries," a senior government official said.
Bahujan Samaj Party had continuously disrupted proceedings during the recently-concluded winter session of Parliament, claiming that the death of a large number of children at the relief camps had been caused due to the apathy of the state government.
Reports in the media said that 40 children have so far died in these camps.
According to a high-level committee constituted by UP government to look into the matter, at least 34 children below the age of 12 years have perished in the relief camps in the Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts.