Cuttack, Aug. 9: A PIL filed in Orissa High Court has sought a CBI probe into implementation of the welfare schemes for tribal people, especially those living in the hilly areas across the state.

The petition has alleged that there has been misappropriation of government funds allocated under schemes for nutrition, health and education of tribal children.

Nationalist Lawyers' Forum has filed the PIL citing the death of 19 Juang tribal children due to acute malnutrition-related diseases at Nagada village in Jajpur.

The petition said the malnutrition deaths at Nagada exposed the government's "negligence" towards the vulnerable tribal folk living in the inaccessible pockets. The deaths also raise questions about the manner in which plans and schemes, meant for the welfare of the tribal people, were being implemented.

While the nutrition needs of the tribal people remain unfulfilled with failure to ensure road connectivity to their habitations, the government has also failed to cover them under the National Food Security Act. Children were suffering from malnourishment due to exclusion from welfare schemes, the petition contended.The forum also submitted a representation to the chief secretary and the health and family welfare department secretary on July 27 for immediate steps to provide minimum basic needs to the tribal people living in hilly areas of the state such as the Juangs at Nagada. The petition is expected to be listed during the week for hearing.

In another development, the National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the state government to submit its report on the malnutrition deaths at Nagada.