The Bombay High Court has given an ultimatum to Maharashtra government to face contempt action or forthwith appoint an IAS officer to ensure implementation of welfare schemes for the benefit of malnourished tribal children in Dharni and Melghat regions of Amravati district.
Hearing a bunch of PILs expressing concern over the government's apathy towards malnourishment of tribal children in the Melghat-Dharni belt, Justices D Y Chandrachud and Amjad Sayed yesterday observed that despite their earlier order, the state had not appointed an IAS officer to monitor schemes.
The judges issued last warning to the state to appoint an officer or face contempt action. They said they were taking serious note of the "lackadaisical" approach of the government towards the issue of malnourishment of tribal children.
"Should we issue a contempt action to the Chief Secretary of the state? Why should he not face contempt? How can you keep the post vacant? the judges asked.
The main purpose of appointing such an officer was to ensure that the tribal welfare schemes were implemented properly. Unless a competent officer was appointed the results achieved in the past would be nullified, the judges noted.
Accordingly, the bench directed Principal Secretaries of the Departments of Women and Child Welfare and Tribal Welfare to file an affidavit on March 8, detailing what steps had they taken to comply with the earlier High Court order.
Further, the Secretaries were directed to remain present in person if they failed to file affidavit, to explain what steps the state had taken to tackle malnutrition and prevent deaths because of it.
On February 6, the court had directed appointment of an IAS officer in Melghat tribal region to implement welfare projects, in keeping with a 1993 government circular which said such IAS officers should be appointed in 11 sensitive tribal areas of the state.
