Maharashtra Faces Alarming Child Malnutrition Crisis, High Court Seeks Answers

More than 1.37 lakh children in Maharashtra are still suffering from malnutrition, a matter that has now drawn serious attention from the judiciary. The issue came before the Bombay High Court after a newspaper report highlighted shocking figures related to child and maternal deaths in the state. According to the data placed before the court, 32,226 children below the age of five and 2,861 mothers have died in Maharashtra over the last two-and-a-half years, with malnutrition cited as a major contributing factor.

I am writing about this issue because these numbers are not just statistics, they reflect a deep and continuing public health crisis. Despite multiple welfare schemes and nutrition programmes, thousands of families are still struggling to provide basic nourishment to children and mothers. When such data reaches the High Court, it becomes clear that this is not a routine administrative lapse but a systemic problem that needs urgent attention from policymakers and authorities.

What the Bombay High Court Was Told

The matter came up before the Bombay High Court after taking suo motu cognisance of a media report on malnutrition-related deaths. The court was informed that a significant number of children identified as severely or moderately malnourished are still awaiting effective intervention.

The figures presented shocked the court, especially considering that Maharashtra is one of the country’s economically stronger states with extensive public health infrastructure.

Scale of Child and Maternal Deaths

As per the information highlighted:

32,226 children under five years of age died in the last two-and-a-half years
2,861 maternal deaths were recorded during the same period
Malnutrition was cited as a major contributing factor in many cases
Over 1.37 lakh children are currently identified as malnourished

These numbers point towards gaps in early detection, follow-up treatment, and nutrition delivery systems.

Why Malnutrition Remains a Persistent Problem

Health experts say malnutrition is not caused by lack of food alone. It is often linked to:

Poverty and food insecurity
Poor maternal health and anaemia
Inadequate access to healthcare facilities
Lack of awareness about nutrition
Irregular monitoring at the grassroots level

In tribal and rural areas, these problems are even more severe due to connectivity and staffing issues.

Government Schemes and Ground Reality

Maharashtra runs several nutrition and health schemes through anganwadis and public health centres. However, the court was told that implementation remains uneven. In many cases, children identified as malnourished are not followed up properly, and referral systems do not function as intended.

The court has sought explanations from the state authorities on what corrective measures are being taken and how existing programmes are being monitored.

Why This Issue Matters to Everyone

Child malnutrition has long-term consequences that go beyond immediate health risks. It affects physical growth, brain development, learning ability, and future productivity. Maternal malnutrition, on the other hand, increases risks during childbirth and directly impacts newborn health.

When such a large number of deaths are linked to nutrition gaps, it raises serious questions about accountability and policy execution.

What the High Court Expects Next

The High Court has indicated that it will closely monitor the state’s response and action plan. Authorities may be asked to submit detailed reports on:

Identification and treatment of malnourished children
Availability of nutrition supplements
Staffing and monitoring at anganwadi centres
Steps taken to prevent further deaths

The court’s involvement is expected to push for stricter oversight and faster corrective action.

Teachers’ Election Duty Row in Maharashtra: Education Minister Seeks Relief from BLO Work

The long-running debate over assigning election-related duties to school teachers has resurfaced in Maharashtra. The state’s education minister, Dadaji Bhuse, has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to exempt teachers from Booth Level Officer (BLO) and other election work. The minister’s appeal reflects growing concern within the education department about teachers being pulled away from classrooms for non-academic responsibilities.

I am writing about this issue because it directly affects both teachers and students. Over the years, teachers have repeatedly said that election duties disrupt teaching schedules, add stress, and reduce time for lesson planning and student support. When senior leaders raise this concern at the government level, it signals that the problem has reached a point where policy-level intervention is needed.

What the Education Minister Has Said

According to the education department, Dadaji Bhuse has formally communicated his request to the chief minister, stating that election-related work should not be assigned to teachers. He has argued that teachers are primarily responsible for academic instruction and student development, and repeated deployment for BLO duties affects learning outcomes in schools.

The minister’s position is clear: while elections are important, schools should not bear the cost of administrative staffing shortages.

Why Teachers Are Opposing BLO Duty

Teachers across Maharashtra have long raised objections to being assigned election duties, especially as Booth Level Officers. Their main concerns include:

Loss of teaching hours during the academic year
Increased administrative pressure alongside classroom work
Travel and fieldwork responsibilities unrelated to education
Stress and accountability for election-related errors

Many teachers say that these duties often extend beyond school hours and continue for months during election cycles.

Impact on Schools and Students

When teachers are assigned election work, schools are forced to manage with fewer staff. This leads to merged classes, delayed syllabus completion, and reduced individual attention for students. In rural and government schools, where staff shortages already exist, the impact is even more visible.

Parents and school heads have also pointed out that frequent diversion of teachers affects exam preparation and overall academic discipline.

Government’s Stand and Possible Outcome

The matter now rests with the Maharashtra Government, which will have to balance administrative needs with educational priorities. While election authorities rely heavily on teachers due to their reach and record-keeping experience, there is growing recognition that this practice may not be sustainable.

If the chief minister accepts the education minister’s request, it could lead to a policy change that limits or completely removes teachers from BLO duties in future elections.

What Teachers’ Groups Are Demanding

Teachers’ associations have welcomed the education minister’s move and are demanding:

Complete exemption from BLO and election duties
Clear written guidelines protecting teaching time
Use of non-teaching staff for election-related work
Consultation with educators before assigning additional responsibilities

They believe this step would restore focus on classroom teaching.

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