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Congress seeks Madhya Pradesh health minister’s resignation over Balaghat deaths
Congress says tribal children in Balaghat died after suffering from diseases and malnutrition.
It blamed the Madhya Pradesh government for not doing enough to protect them.
Congress leaders said some families had not received food rations for six months.
They also said vaccination coverage was below 70 percent in some areas.
This may have helped measles spread, according to their allegations.
Congress asked Health Minister Rajendra Shukla to resign.
It also requested money, jobs and better medical care for affected families.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court is asking government departments to explain what happened.
Congress demanded Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla resign over tribal children’s deaths in Balaghat.
Vikrant Bhuria attributed the deaths to malnutrition, delayed rations, low vaccination coverage and inadequate disease prevention.
Congress alleged more than 35 tribal children had died and said pressure was being placed on critics.
Sadhna Bharti sought ₹1 crore compensation per affected family, a government job and improved healthcare.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has sought responses from state authorities over allegations of inadequate treatment and food.
- Who
- Congress leaders Vikrant Bhuria and Sadhna Bharti, Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla, and Madhya Pradesh government authorities.
- What
- Congress demanded Rajendra Shukla’s resignation over the deaths of tribal children in Balaghat and sought compensation, jobs and an inquiry.
- Where
- Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh; the Congress press conference was held in New Delhi.
- When
- The demands were reported on Wednesday, September 16; the Madhya Pradesh High Court issued notices the previous week.
- Why
- Congress alleged that malnutrition, missed rations, low vaccination coverage, inadequate disease prevention and insufficient healthcare contributed to the deaths.
Key facts
- Reported deaths
- Congress alleged that more than 35 tribal children had died.
- Government spending cited
- The Madhya Pradesh government reportedly told the Legislative Assembly that ₹12 per day was being spent to combat severe acute malnutrition.
- Ration access
- Congress alleged that people in the affected area had not received rations for six months.
- Vaccination coverage
- Vikrant Bhuria alleged vaccination coverage in areas such as Balaghat was below 70 percent.
- Compensation demand
- Sadhna Bharti demanded ₹1 crore for each affected family and one government job for a family member.
- Court action
- The Madhya Pradesh High Court sought responses from state departments, the Balaghat collector and others.
- Hospital allegation
- The petition alleged that about 400 children were being treated at a hospital with capacity for 50 beds.
Quotes
Vikrant Bhuria
Head of the Congress party’s tribal wing
“Malnutrition is a major issue in Madhya Pradesh, and it is the reason behind the children’s deaths in Balaghat. People in the area have not received rations for six months.”
theprint.in
Sources
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