Malnutrition has claimed 17 lives in Palghar: Sena leader

Palghar (Maha), Sep 11 (PTI) With the death of atwo-year-old boy, the toll due to malnutrition in thetribal-dominated Mokhada tehsil in the district since July hasgone up to 17, a local Shiv Sena leader said today. Sena worker and member of Palghar Zilla Parishad PrakashNikam said that 17 children have died due to malnutrition inthe last two months, and if the state government did not takeany action, the villagers would take the body of any child,that dies in future, to the tehsil office or even theMantralaya (state secretariat) for cremation. Ishwar Sawra (2) from Khoch village died on September 9,becoming the latest victim of malnutrition, he said. Former MLA Vivek Pandit blamed the state government forstopping the Village Child Development Program, aimed attackling malnutrition, which he said worsened the situation. Local authorities were not available for comments whencontacted. PTI CORR KRKASVJMF