Notice to Orissa Government on Starvation Deaths

The Commission has taken suo-motu cognizance of reports that have appeared in NDTV news and the Times of India alleging that starvation deaths have occurred in Kashipur in Orissa’s Rayagada District.

The reports had alleged that while more than twenty persons had died in this District, no steps had been taken by the authorities to provide those who were starving with alternatives to the only food that they had been consuming – a paste made out of mango kernels.

The Commission issued a notice by fax on 29 August 2001 to the Chief Secretary, Orissa asking “for a prompt reply within one week giving details of the action taken to provide food to the needy and to prevent any such death”.