BJD MLA Challenges Odisha Govt Claim On Kandhamal Deaths, Offers To Quit Politics

Bhubaneswar: In a challenge to Odisha government on its claim on Kandhamal deaths, BJD legislator Byomakesh Ray on Wednesday announced that he would quit politics it is proved that mango kernel is the traditional food of the tribals.

The MLA made the announcement in response to Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra’s statement in the Assembly that the deaths of three tribal women in Kandhamal were caused by food poisoning and not starvation.

While the minister said the families of the deceased women had enough stock of food at the time of their death, Ray said it was a matter of shame for the entire state that the minister was trying to cover up such a tragic issue.

“Soon after the issue came to light, the minister had said the women had not died due to starvation as their families had enough stock of rice at the time. Soon after his statement, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi ordered supply of adequate stock of rice to the area,” he said.

“Besides, Patra had told the media that mango kernel was the traditional food of the tribals in the district. If the chief minister, who himself belongs to a tribal area, admits in the Assembly that mango kernel is the traditional food of the tribals, I will quit politics,” he added.

The minister said in the Assembly in the day the post-mortem reports of the deceased confirmed death due to food poisoning.

Stating that the government was taking adequate steps to ensure the supply and logistics of food items under PDS, the minister said the officials visiting the victims’ houses found that some beneficiaries lacked KYC documents.

He further said financial support has been extended to the bereaved families, while steps were being taken to further streamline the PDS in remote areas. The government plans to supply rice to the beneficiaries 45 days in advance.

The government plans to open more PDS outlets in remote regions and supply ration materials for one to two months at a time, the minister said.

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