Dated 25/2/2010

Taking suo motu cognisance of a media report alleging that chronic hunger has led to the death of fifty persons in Balangir district in Orissa, the National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, government of Orissa calling for his report within four weeks. The Commission is also contemplating to send its team to Balangir District in the State to ascertain the ground realities.

The report published in the Hindustan Times on the 24th February,2010 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. Distribution is done according to the 1997 BPL survey even though another survey was done in 2002. In the last 13 years, many have branched out of their original families after marriage. But they are not entitled to PDS facilities. Besides, many migrated to other states in 1997 and were left out of the BPL list.

The Commission in its notice has observed that the contents of the press report, if true raise a serious issue of human right violation of the victims. It has asked the Chief Secretary of the state to inform the Commission;

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. How many families in District Balangir have been provided with ration cards facilities under the BPL and Antyodaya Scheme;
d. What measures have been 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 calling for report in four weeks time in the deaths of Jhintu and his family members in the region due to hunger, which is yet to be received .