Fed water due to no breast milk, tribal babies’ ordeal brought to Govt notice by Mathrubhumi News

Kollam (Kerala): A shocking case of extreme negligence towards tribal infants has emerged from Achankovil in Kollam, where an indigenous couple has been left without any resources to sustain their underweight newborn twins.

Due to a complete lack of breast milk, the parents, Anju and Sunil, have been forced to feed the infants nothing but cooled, boiled water. The couple revealed to Mathrubhumi News that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Department completely ignored them throughout the pregnancy.

Anju further stated that despite the issue being known, tribal promoters refused to visit the family at the hospital or inquire about the children's welfare during the three months since they returned home. The harrowing situation was brought to light following an investigative report by Mathrubhumi News.

The premature twins had previously spent nearly three weeks in the paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) at the SAT Hospital. Although tribal women are legally entitled to a monthly pregnancy allowance of ₹2,000, Anju has not received a single rupee. When questioned about this lapse, the local promoter claimed that no application had been submitted. In tribal regions, it is customary for promoters to fill out and manage administrative paperwork on behalf of parents with limited literacy, who usually only need to provide a signature.

Following the broadcast of the report, Minister for Women and Child Development Bindu Krishna intervened immediately. Expressing profound sorrow, the Minister stated that hearing such news is deeply painful. "It is truly distressing that a family has to live in such conditions in this day and age. Immediate intervention will be made in this matter," the Minister said.

Taking a strict stance against administrative lapses, she added, "I do not understand what the officials concerned, including the promoters, are doing. It is clear from these reports that some individuals, including SC promoters, are drawing their honorarium without performing their duties. Stringent action will be taken against them. The government will ensure a healthy environment for these children to survive and thrive."