New Delhi, 23rd May, 2013

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh calling for a report within four weeks on the allegations of death of thousands of villagers due to consumption of arsenic contaminated ground water in the villages of District Ballia of UP. The Commission has also asked its Director General (Investigation) to depute a team to conduct an on the spot enquiry into the matter and submit a report within four weeks.

The Commission's directions have come following a complaint from an NGO, Innervoice Foundation of Ballia. Allegedly, the mitigation measures installed by the concerned agencies have failed to serve the purpose. A report was also submitted by the National Level Monitors, Ministry of Rural Development to the Government 20 months ago on the issue but no action has been taken. The NGO has also forwarded a detailed "Investigation and Assessment Report" prepared by it on the basis of its works in the area over a period of 8 years.
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