This finding came after Right to Food (RTF) team visited the region and saw that the tribals were unable to buy food at normal prices from the PDS shops as it was available to them only on APL rates.
The State advisor to the Supreme Court commissioners in the RTF case has written to the authorities aboutthe plight of the adivasis who are facing the double brunt of displacement and starvation.
The problem in the region is likely to intensify with the onset of monsoons. Also, the incidence of water-borne diseases would further make matters difficult.
The Supreme Courts commissioners had directed the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 2004 to provide rations free of cost or at Antyodaya rates to all the Dalit and adivasi families affected by SSP. However, this directive is yet to be implemented in Alirajpur.
Efforts to include these families in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category are ongoing but the progress is very slow. Most families in villages like Anjanwara and Bhitada are starving as they are unable to purchase rations.
