Death of 50 persons due to hunger in Orissa
(Case No. 542/18/2/2010)
Media carried a report on the 24th February, 2010, alleging that chronic hunger has led to the death of fifty persons in Balangir district in Orissa. The report alleged that in the last two years about three hundred children were orphaned following death of their parents due to chronic hunger and prolonged malnourishment in the five blocks of the district located in the dreaded Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput belt of Orissa. These blocks are Khaprakhol, Belpada, Tureikela, Bangomunda and Muribahal.
The report also mentioned that the public distribution system has holes. Taking suo motu cognizance of the media report, the Commission observed that its contents, if true, raise a serious issue of human right violation of the victims and issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Orissa calling for his report on the following:
a. Details of persons reported to have died alongwith the reasons for deaths;
b. Details of deceased who had been provided with PDS facilities under Antyodaya scheme;
c. Number of families in District Balangir provided with ration cards facilities under the BPL and Antyodaya Scheme;
d. Measures taken by the Administration to strengthen the Public Distribution System and Health care in the district.
Earlier, also on the 14th January, 2010, the Commission under the case no. 24/18/2/2010 had asked the Chief Secretary, Government of Orissa for report in the deaths of Jhintu and his family members due to hunger in the region. The Commission is also contemplating to send its team to Balangir District in the State to ascertain the ground realities.
The report also mentioned that the public distribution system has holes. Taking suo motu cognizance of the media report, the Commission observed that its contents, if true, raise a serious issue of human right violation of the victims and issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Orissa calling for his report on the following:
a. Details of persons reported to have died alongwith the reasons for deaths;
b. Details of deceased who had been provided with PDS facilities under Antyodaya scheme;
c. Number of families in District Balangir provided with ration cards facilities under the BPL and Antyodaya Scheme;
d. Measures taken by the Administration to strengthen the Public Distribution System and Health care in the district.
Earlier, also on the 14th January, 2010, the Commission under the case no. 24/18/2/2010 had asked the Chief Secretary, Government of Orissa for report in the deaths of Jhintu and his family members due to hunger in the region. The Commission is also contemplating to send its team to Balangir District in the State to ascertain the ground realities.