The first case of death among children owing to malnutrition among these communities came to light in 1993, when the current President of India, Mrs Pratibha Patil became the MP from this constituency. Since then 10762 children (at least) have died owing to malnutrition. Since then, despite the government having claimed to have spent crores of rupees in this area, death by malnutrition among children continues unabated. In 1996-97, as many as 1050 children died from malnutrition – according to government data.

Even this year, in a survey conducted before the onset of Monsoons, the data suggests worrisome and even shameful trends. They suggest an almost doubling of deaths among chldren.

Government data for the last five years for death by malnutrition among children between ages 0-6 years old are as follows: 504 deaths in 2005-06, 490 in 2006-07, 447 in 2007-08, 467 in 2008-09. By mid year of 2009-10, the community has already seen 510 deaths among children by malnutrition. In addition, 39 children are suffering from grade 4 malnutrition, and 442 from grade 3 – both numbers significantly higher than past years.

Just like past years, as the deaths soar, the administration will attempt to react with some programs. However with no proactive programs, the close look at the data points to the absence of thought and ineffectiveness of these programs.

During the monsoons, people cannot leave their homes for work. They often find it difficult to arrange for food. Most deaths happen during this period. It is notable that government programs begin right after this period.

In 1993, right after the rains, then CM of Maharasthra, Sharad Pawar visited this area. There was many promises made and much planning – but the community largely stayed untouched by the goodness of intentions.

During such tours by political bigwigs, the focus stays on those regions that are most accessible by roads. Hospitals and administrative offices along the main highways get spruced up. Visible implementation of programs is ensured in these areas. Communities that are further inland are left un touched and government offices in these areas continue their complacent way of life. While deaths in these areas are explained, the limitations of planning or of the programs are hardly visible.

Melghat is among such extremely remote and poor communities in Amravati district. 51.28% of families are below the poverty line. Unemployment is extremely high and healthcare infrastructure is minimal at best. As a result, children are often born in conditions of grade 1 malnutrition which quickly transitions to grade 2, grade 3 and then grade 4. In fact, despite high number of deaths for over 15 years, there is almost no significant healthcare infrastructure in this region.

There are 56 primary health clinics that need to meet the health needs of 30000 people EACH. In addition, there are 320 sub clinics responsible for 6000 people each. In 1981, for a population of 100000 people, a 63 bed hospital was built. 10 years later, in 1991, the hospital had 62 beds and by 2001, the hospital only had 56 beds. In addition, the behavior of health staff is pathetic.

The closest emergency health care center lies 15 km away in Khatru. Usually, such a center should have one child specialist and over 112 different kinds of medicines. There is not such infrastructure here. Any serious case is further forwarded to Dharani. Patients have to travel – during emergency situations – 110 km through bad roads to get here.

Even here, there is little to be offered. While equipment is present, they often do not work. They are broken. Or, there is often no electricity. Even whene generators exist, there is no diesel. As a result, people often have to go all the way to the hospital in Amravati, the district HQ.

Khutida – a small hamlet with 45 families – is an example. The closest sub-clinic is 8 km away. The clinic should be staffed regularly during the day and have 27 kinds of medicines for common ailments. However, local families say that the staff is never around. Even the midwife does not show up. As a result, those who can afford it, visit private clinics and those who do not, stay at home hoping for the best.

During the rains, though, when the river Khandu floods to surround the village on three sides, the only hope is a clinic in Mohra village in MP, 19 km away.

Another typical example is karanjkheda vilage with 113 homes. The local preschool “anganwadi” has 98 children. The government run anganwadi, per government guidelines, requires Rs 2.40 to spent on food for every child every day. As it is across the state, this mid-day meal program is run through contracts. However, in this case, the staff of the anganwadi have taken the contract themselves; thus distribution of mid-day meals is pathetic. The staff, in their bid to increase their profits, provide very small quantities of non-nutritious meals, consisting mostly of a dilute rice porridge. Half the children do not get meals.

The state of midday meals in 337 preschool anganwadis and 213 primary schools is similar – existing primarily on paper.

Another example is that of the village of Ektai. Among 175 families, only 40 have ration cards for public distribution of food. Villages point out that the ration store keeper gives out only 25kgs of subsidized grain, as opposed to 35 kgs as per government guidelines. The rest is hoarded and sold illegally. This caused riots in the village some time ago, leading to investigation. Over 50 people were found guilty of being part of a scam and the government locked the store. Thus, there is no public distribution of grain anymore. Thus, people have to walk 6km to get grain from a public distribution center. Thus, the government rewarded those villagers who opposed corruption by making life harder for them.

In the past year, 75909 job cards were distributed here in Melghat as per the Employment Guarantee Scheme. However, jobs were provided only to 14502 people. Public documents available at the Panchayat or block office do not provide any details of how money was spent on EGS or on other schemes such as child welfare programs or adivasi welfare programs. The absence of details is telling.

Melghat is home to about 300000 people, 80% of which belong to Korku tribe. The community uses 27% of land for agriculture. Agriculture depends completely on monsoons. The rest of the land – 73% - is forest land. Thus, forests have been a major source of livelihood. However, since 1974, this was marked as the Melghat Tiger Reserve Area and the Korku adivasis were pushed out of the forest. After 1980, they were not allowed to collect firewood and other forest products such as leaves, and honey from the forest. They were prohibited from fishing in the forests or collecting roots. This has been a major cause for shortage in food in this area, for a community whose lives were tied to the forest. Thus, while Mumbai was celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the statehood of Maharastra, Melghat was suffering from hunger and starvation.