New Delhi, 6th February, 2013

Setting aside the contention of the Madhya Pradesh Government, the National Human Rights Commission has recommended an amount of rupees ten thousand each as monetary relief to seven children who suffered from Fluorosis due to consumption of water with high contents of fluoride in village Jasoda Khumji in District Jhabua.

The Commission took the cognizance of the issue on a complaint of a human rights activist, who quoting a media report published on the 7th December, 2011 had alleged that 29 children became physically handicapped in the District as they were drinking water with high fluoride content.

Allegedly, the administration had provided filters, which were connected to the hand pumps in a village school, but these were removed and no one took notice of it.

In response to Commission's notices, the Additional Secretary, Health Department, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh informed that the valve and pipe de-fluoridation plant were stolen, which were re-installed. The fluoride in water was within the permissible limit. However, its presence was also found in some food materials. The District Health Officer examined 29 children out of whom 7 were found physically handicapped. Treatment was provided to them.

Subsequent to Commission's show cause notice to the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh as to why monetary relief may not be recommended to be paid to the victims, the State government contended that since the Public Health Department was neither directly of indirectly responsible for deformity caused to the children, no compensation might be ordered to be paid.

The Commission noted that the administration had taken steps to avoid further recurrence of such incidents but observed that the State Government had not disputed that seven children suffered from Fluorosis due to the consumption of water with high fluoride. It is the duty of the Government to provide pure drinking water to citizens and it had failed in doing so. Thus, human rights of the victims had been violated.

The Commission recommended that the Madya Pradesh government pay rupees ten thousand each as monetary relief to the seven victims. It has also directed the Chief Secretary of the State to send the proof of payment made to them.

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