NHRC takes cognisance of Express report on 53 maternal deaths in MP's Sidhi, issues notice
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500+ questions on Polity with explanations
📌 Summary:
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NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of an Indian Express report on 53 maternal deaths (before, during or after childbirth) in Madhya Pradesh's Sidhi district between April 2025 and March 2026
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Commission has issued notice to MP Chief Secretary demanding a detailed report within 2 weeks
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NHRC noted the deaths occurred "primarily due to lack of awareness and medical facilities" and, if true, raise a "serious issue of violation of human rights"
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Action highlights persistent gaps in maternal healthcare delivery in tribal/rural districts of central India despite national programmes (JSY, JSSK, PMSMA) under the National Health Mission
🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 — Governance & Social Justice (Health); role of constitutional/statutory bodies (NHRC) in enforcing rights; Right to Life (Article 21) and maternal health.
📝 Prelims Facts:
- NHRC: statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993; HQ in New Delhi; Chairperson must be a former CJI or SC judge
- NHRC can take suo motu cognisance, recommend interim relief and direct govt to file action-taken reports, but its recommendations are not binding
- Sidhi is a district in north-eastern Madhya Pradesh, part of the Vindhyan plateau, with a large Scheduled Tribe population
🔑 Key Term: Suo motu cognisance — the legal power of a court or statutory body (like NHRC) to take up a matter on its own initiative, without a formal complaint, when it learns of a possible rights violation.
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