Balaghat: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday visited Jagla village in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district and met families of tribal children who reportedly died after falling ill.
Gandhi spent about an hour with members of the Baiga tribal community, listening to concerns over healthcare, malnutrition, education, employment and access to government welfare schemes.
According to media reports, more than 30 tribal children have died in Balaghat district in recent months, with malnutrition and malaria among the reported causes. The exact number and causes of the deaths could not be independently verified from the information available.
Gandhi said the government had failed to provide adequate support to affected families and said he would raise the issue in Parliament. He also raised concerns about implementation of the Forest Rights Act, land rights and employment under the rural jobs programme.
Some families told reporters they had struggled to access medical care. Savni Dhurve said her infant son died at home in September after suffering from rashes, cough and breathing difficulties. Hirondi Dhurve said her infant son died in May after suffering from jaundice, fever and rashes.
Gandhi also called for better healthcare, schools, roads, electricity and water facilities in tribal areas.
He later visited a government primary school in Mate village and spoke with students about the mid-day meal programme.
