Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, August 1: In the wake of death of 19 children of Nagada in Jajpur district, a Central fact-finding team reached here Monday.
The five-member team deputed by Union ministry of health and family welfare is being led by joint secretary Chetan B Sanghi which will visit the affected villages Tuesday.
According to official sources, after its arrival the team held a meeting with various state government officials including secretaries of Women and Child Development, ST/SC development and health besides revenue divisional commissioner (Central) at Secretariat. The team left for Jajpur soon after, said the sources.
The team after assessing the situation is scheduled to discuss with Jajpur district administration and other officials. Notably, expressing concern over the situation, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has asked the state government to submit a detailed report within 10 days on the situation in the affected hamlets, inhabited by Juanga tribals. Following reports of malnutrition deaths, the government has formed a task force to ensure development of the area which has no proper road.
Meanwhile, the state government has directed the Jajpur district social welfare officer (DSWO) to form self help groups (SHGs) in Nagada and other inaccessible villages of Sukinda block of Jajpur district.
“Interact with the villagers of Nagada and other inaccessible villages of the block for formation of SHGs and take up suitable group activities in the area,” said W&CD secretary Vishal Kumar Dev in a letter to Jajpur DSWO Monday to “achieve socio-economic progress” of people of the area.