Khandapada: A 71-year-old man died late Sunday night reportedly after remaining hungry for several days due to poverty at Upar Sahi in Ranichheli village under this block in Nayagarh district.
Manguli Das’ condition deteriorated Saturday after which locals admitted him to Khandapada community health centre (CHC). But doctors advised to shift him to the district headquarters hospital on examining his condition.
He was undergoing treatment at the district headquarters hospital but died at Sunday night.
Locals and Manguli’s family members claimed it was a case of starvation death while Khandapada block officials blamed the panchayat authorities for the incident.
It is alleged Das died due to negligence of panchayat representatives and executive officer of the panchayat.
On being directed by the collector, block development officer (BDO) Sipra Sethi met the bereaved family and assured them of all assistance after conducting a probe into the incident.
She said legal action will be initiated against persons responsible for the death. The BDO said after completion of the last rites Manguli’s widow and mentally-deranged son will be housed with a voluntary outfit. Locals met the BDO and sought assistance for the bereaved family.
Former deputy speaker Bibhuti Bhushan Singh Mardaraj also met the widow of the deceased and gave away some assistance. Sarpanch Asha Dalei also gave away `2000 under Harish Chandra Yojana and 40 kg rice and an Antyodaya card to the family.
Manguli was living in hunger due to abject poverty with no means to support his family.
He was managing his family with the rice received under Antyodaya Anna Yojana, an allowance of `300 and `500 received by his wife.
While his wife is partially blind his 22-year-old son is deranged.
However, trouble began after his name was scrapped from the ration card list under
National Food Security Act due to negligence of panchayat officials.
He and his family were living in hunger after he stopped receiving rice for last nine months and depend on whatever his neighbours gave him.
Most of the time Manguli and his family members had to go without food, neighbours said. PNN
