Taking suo motu cognisance of reports of a family in Basti losing four members due to malnutrition in the last six years, the National Human Rights Commission issued notice to the chief secretary of UP and sought a report and data on effective implementation of social welfare schemes in Basti, mentioning about the family.
After losing four members due to malnutrition in the last six years, Harishchandra of Ojhaganj village in Basti urged the authorities to allow him to end his life as he was not being hired for work by anyone for the last three months and had no income to provide for his lone daughter, who was also struggling. 
The NHRC observed that the content of the news report was a serious issue of human rights violation due to lack of nutritional diet, adequate medical care and proper livelihood and expressed serious concern terming the deaths as tragic.
It also sought details on the health status of Harishchandra’s lone surviving child and steps taken by the state to ensure income for him.
The district administration was also asked to furnish details of relief provided to the family. The response is expected within four weeks.
The NHRC further observed that media report indicated that there could be more such hapless families due to the lack of infrastructure and negligence by authorities.
The NHRC expressed concern that such incidents were happening despite numerous flagship programmes being announced and implemented by the Union and UP governments to ensure socio-economic protection to citizens, including their right to food, health, education, housing and adequate standard of living.