Jharkhand grapples with ‘hunger-deaths’

The public uproar following reports of hunger deaths in Jharkhand had prompted the state government to form a committee to define ‘hunger deaths’. But although a list of do’s and don’ts have been put up on the state government’s website (Department of Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs), the prescription is not being followed in practice.

The committee was set up in February, 2018 by the minister concerned, Sarayu Roy. The list of do’s and don’ts were put up in August, which prescribed that every time a hunger death is reported in the state, a committee of district officials would investigate the case and send a report to the government within 24 hours. And if the government finds the report to be unsatisfactory, it would form a team to inquire and submit another report within 60 days.

As if this was not farcical enough, the state government decided that a review meeting would be held in August every year, ostensibly because this is the time of the year when most hunger-deaths are reported because of ‘failed monsoon, crop failure and floods’.

It also resolved that a foodgrain bank would be created in every panchayat so that every family receives 15 Kgs of foodgrain every month.

The measures have not stopped media and activists from reporting deaths due to hunger and several such reports on hunger deaths have surfaced in the state in the past few weeks from Dumka, Deoghar and Gumla.

The minister, however, denies all such reports. Rai, when contacted, said “It is not possible to follow up allegations of hunger deaths raised on a daily basis by activists with vested interests. Our officials have visited most of these families and found there was food in the household when the death occurred. I have several times asked RTFC people to sit with us and help draw better policies; but they have never done so. All allegations of starvation deaths are baseless.”

Activists are equally adamant. “Instead of always denying reports, the government should implement its own recommendations. It is still the Block Development Officer (BDO) who is conducting investigations and denying that deaths were due to hunger,” said an activist, Balram. He questioned the need of forming committees when the government ignores its recommendations. “How can a BDO, who is responsible for implementing the schemes in his Block accept shortage of foodgrains in the victims’ family,” he wondered aloud.

Whatever be the truth about hunger deaths in the state, there is no denying the fact that Public Distribution System, the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) and Mid- day Meal (MDM) schemes in the state have not functioned well.

Anganwadi Sevikas, after a prolonged agitation demanding revised honorarium, have now returned to the centres. During this period children and pregnant mothers were left to fend for themselves. Similarly cooks who prepare mid- day meals in government schools were on strike, also demanding better work conditions and wages. During the strike period, most school going children in rural areas were naturally not served meals in schools.