'Orissa must act fast to prevent starvation deaths'

By Our Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR, AUG. 27. A prominent voluntary organisation has demanded immediate measures be taken by the Orissa Government to prevent ``starvation deaths'' in the Kashipur Block of the State's Rayagada district.

At a press conference here today, Mr. Prafulla Samantara, president of the Orissa unit of the Lok Shakti Abhiyan, alleged that about 20 persons had died in Kashipur region during the past three weeks due to want of food.

Blaming the successive Governments in the State for the plight of the tribals in the region, Mr. Samantara expressed fear that more people may die if the Government did not extend immediate help.

He demanded that food-for-work programme should start to provide employment to the tribals. An emergency health survey should be conducted in the region and health service be given by deploying mobile health teams in the affected Panchayats, Mr. Samantara said.

The State Government, however, has said that a total of 15 persons had died in three villages of Kashipur Block by consuming inedible food items which had developed fungus and that the deaths were not due to starvation.

The Government, however, claims to have started food- for-work programme in the area to provide employment to the tribals, and distribution of rice free of cost to those in distress.

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Section  : Other States
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