Jharkhand Government asked to comment on reported starvation deaths

The media had reported on 20th September 2004 of 14 starvation deaths having occurred in the State of Jharkhand within a month. Taking suo-motu cognizance based on the news story, the Commission directed that a copy of the news item be sent to the Chief Secretary, Jharkhand and District Magistrate, Dumka and Palamu, Jharkhand to look into the report and submit their comments within two weeks.
The news item quoted the Opposition party as asking the State Government to spell out the difference between 'starvation' and 'malnutrition'. It stated that people die because they do not have enough to eat and have no access to treatment facilities, although the Deputy Commissioners of Dumka and Palamu Districts denied the cases of starvation deaths in these districts but admitting to widespread malnutrition among the people particularly women and children.