Palghar, Maharashtra has recorded an alarming increase in infant and child mortality, with around 396 children dying due to malnutrition and other medical reasons in 2017-18.

As many as 396 children died due to malnutrition and other reasons in Palghar district of Maharashtra in 2017-18, Minister of Women and Child Development Pankaja Munde said today. Shiv Sena member Ravindra Phatak, raising the issue through a Calling Attention motion in the Legislative Council, said an alarming rise in infant mortality was witnessed in Palghar district. "Has the government taken note of the seriousness of the issue and done anything about it?" he asked. Munde said that 396 children died during 2017-18.

"However, the deaths were not just because of malnutrition but other medical reasons as well. There has been no rise in cases of malnutrition deaths in the past three months," she said. Her department has started gram vikas kendras for malnourished children where children are screened regularly, the minister said. "Apart from that, the WCD department is conducting training of parents with the help of medical officers, Anganwadi workers and government officials," she said. The district, which has a sizable tribal population, has been in news for malnutrition deaths in the past.