Mount Abu, Nov 09: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today denied starvation deaths in Sahari tribal belt in drought hit Barana district and said the casualities were due to "malnutrition and diseases".
"Malnutrition and illness were the suspected cause of deaths, the number which cannot be ascertained", Gehlot told reporters on the sideline of the Congress Chief Ministers conclave here. "The media reports describing the deaths as starvation deaths were not true", he said.


About 50 per cent of the country's population was victim of malnutrition and Rajasthan cannot be exception to it as the state is reeling under drought and famine conditions for the fourth consecutive year, he added.



Directing his ire at the Centre, Gehlot said the Union government was not extending any help to the state in fighting natural calamity.
On reports that drought hit tribal people were forced to consume 'ghas ki roti' (bread made of grass) and powder of wild seeds, the chief minister said they were part of traditional diet of the people in Saharia.

Bureau Report