Post News Network
Daringbadi, Jan 11: Three persons who were denied ration cards were admitted to a local hospital in critical condition after going without food for several days in Sirsamaha village under this block in Kandhamal district.
Maguni Bindhani, Kailash Mallick and Ganesh Mallick grew feeble due to starvation. On learning about their condition, local women leaders Bilasini Nayak and Sarasila Pradhan rescued the three and admitted them to the local community health centre (CHC).
Dr Sangram Sahu attending to them stated that their condition was critical and they were under observation. Their actual problem can be diagnosed only after conducting some examinations, he said.
Ganesh’s wife Subarna Mallick claimed that her husband’s health condition deteriorated as he went without food for days.
“After being deprived of rice quota we had to manage with our earnings from old-age pension. It was quite difficult for us,” Subarna said, adding their condition became more acute after her husband’s name was struck off the list of ration card beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act.
“With the meager earnings it is not possible for us to purchase rice from the open market available at Rs 20-25-a kg,” she lamented.
Nayak alleged that the family after being deprived of ration card tried to meet the Chief Secretary and lodge a complaint with him during his recent visit to the district. However, the administration prevented the family members from meeting the Chief Secretary.
Block development officer Sunakar Sharma said a sarpanch is entitled to provide a maximum of 10 kg rice to people in distress. He has asked the panchayat authorities to immediately conduct a probe and provide rice to the people in need.
Tehsildar Nimain Charn Sutar is learnt to have given blankets to the poor families. PNN
