404 starvation deaths alleged

Expressbuzz, 31st July, 2009

BHUBANESWAR: Though the State seems to have made all-round progress during the last nine years, allegations of 404 starvation deaths were made in the period raising questions whether development has percolated down to all sections. The highest number of starvation death complaints were received from Keonjhar district followed by 45 from Khurda district. However, Balasore, Gajapati, Puri and Koraput districts reported no starvation deaths during the period.
Other districts from where large number of reports were received include Bargarh, Ganjam, Jajpur, Kalahandi and Nuapada. Kalahandi reported 40 such incidents while Nuapada reported 20. Besides, 31 starvation cases were reported from Bargarh district while 33 cases were reported from Ganjam district followed by 27 from Jajpur district.
While the number cases reported in 2001, 2002 and 2003 were 64, 66 and 73 respectively, these have come down to below 40 in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Three such cases have been reported till now in 2009.
To a question from Santosh Singh Saluja of the Congress, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Surja Narayan Patro said the complaints were thoroughly investigated by the State Government and found to be not true.
Starvation death complaints are investigated by a gazetted officer in the presence of the sarpanch, ward member and some villagers.
The district collector submits the report to the State Government within 48 hours of receiving the complaint.
Investigation into starvation death is conducted as per Section 39 of the Orissa Relief Code.
Though it is not mandatory to conduct postmortem of the starvation death victims as per the Relief Code, it was conducted in 28 cases, the Minister said.