Making a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government in the State, State Congress President Deepak Baij claimed that Baiga tribal children had died due to malnutrition in Kawardha. Addressing a press conference at state Congress party office Rajiv Bhawan in the State capital today, Deepak Baij said that a team of the Congress leaders had visited Nandani Kuman village in the Rengakhar forest region, located within the Bodla sub-health center area, in Kawardha. Five children from the Baiga community, a protected tribal group, passed away due to malnutrition and anemia. Thirteen children suffering from malnutrition and anemia have been admitted to the Bodla Health Centre. Furthermore, more than 10 other children, also suffering from malnutrition and anemia, remain in the village and have not yet gone to the health centre for treatment. Conversations with local residents revealed that the entire area is affected by malnutrition, anemia, diarrhea, and malaria, he added.

 

The State Congress President said that the BJP Government in the State is not working for eradication of malnutrition. State Congress President Deepak Baij said that the previous Congress Government had launched a campaign that successfully rid the state of malnutrition. Deaths caused by diarrhea and malaria had been brought to an end; however, under three years of BJP rule, the situation has reverted to its previous state, he added. Baij demanded that a compensation of Rs 10 lakh be provided to the families of children who have died due to malnutrition.

 

Furthermore, he urged that Malnutrition Rehabilitation Centers (NRCs) be established in the villages themselves to provide treatment and care for children currently suffering from malnutrition. The State Congress President criticised the State Government over paddy procurement. He demanded that farmers should be paid for their paddy in a single lump sum at the rate of Rs 3,358. Cash payment centers should be opened in all Gram Panchayats to ensure that farmers receive payment immediately after selling their paddy. For every farmer who has registered, procurement should be carried out for their entire registered land area, at a rate of 21 quintals per acre, he added. He said that Congress leaders and workers from Chhattisgarh would participate in “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao” rally in New Delhi on November 1. State Congress In-charge General Secretary Malkit Singh Gaindu,