Mumbai is the mother of ironies. The wealthiestmetropolitan area in the country shares border with Palghar, one ofthe most backward districts of Maharashtra. If government numbers are to bebelieved, 208 malnourished children have already died in the tribal district in the first eight months of this year.
The unofficial figures of the deaths go beyond 1,000. Thecondition is so bad that prohibitory order (sec 144 of CrPC) was imposed in two villages of Mokhada taluka ahead of Rural Development, Women and Child Welfare Minister Pankaja Munde's visit. Munde claims that shewasn't aware of the order.
It was decided by the local administration. This comes under the police, not me. However, I asked them that there was no such need for the order but police officials wanted it to be imposed and I could not interfere in their work.Pankaja Munde
Opposition slammed the move to stop assembly of people in anarea where death of two children had taken place.
It is shocking that when children are dying dueto the malnourishment, the ministers are worried about their security andbacklash.Ashok Chavan, state president of Congress
After severe criticism, section144 was withdrawn. But that wasn't the end of controversies for Pankaja Munde. One more death of a malnourished child from Jawhar taluka came tolight on the day of her visit.
Tribal Affairs minister Vishnu Sawra had faced the anger oftribals during his visit to Palghar last week. The protests were led by ShramjeeviSanghatana, an organisation working in the field of malnourishment and led bylocal MLA Vivek Pandit.
Theissue is that of the sensitivity of the administration. How many more deathsare needed for them act sensitively?Vivek Pandit, MLA, Shramjeevi Sanghatana
After completing her visit on Wednesday, Pankaja Munde said that the administration has geared up andthe government is serious about handling the malnourishment issue.
Visited bereaved fmly in Palghar dist n counseled them Working in co-orditn with other depts to put in place permanent soln for malnutrition pic.twitter.com/pC7om0PcJG
Eyebrows Raised as Pankaja Meets Bhujbal
While the Fadnavis government in Maharashtra is taking a toughstand against corruption, Pankaja Munde called on scamaccused NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, who is recuperating at JJ hospital inMumbai following an illness.
Bhujbal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in Marchin connection with a money laundering case. The former Chief Minister, who has beenlodged at Arthur Road Jail, was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit of JJ hospitalon 17 September, after he complained of fever, weakness and headache.
Should any responsible minister of ruling Govt meet scam tainted politician like Bhujbal? Mrs Pankaja Palwe this was not expected out of you
Pankaja's father Gopinath Munde had shared stage with fellowOBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal at several occasions. Although Panakaja met him toinquire about his health, the timing is important. While protests rallies haveunited Marathas, Pankaja meeting Bhujbal can also be seen as coming together ofOBC forces.
Pankaja Munde shares a lukewarm relationship with ChiefMinister Devendra Fadnavis and has openly expressed her ambition to be thechief minister of the state.
. @Pankajamunde 's visit to Bhujbal is talk of d town. What's brewing in OBC camp? Wait n watch!
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