Mango Kernel Deaths In Odisha: Two Senior Cong Leaders Say Govt Misleading People With ‘False Statements’

Bhubaneswar: Even as Odisha government has clarified that the recent death of two women in Kandhamal district was caused by food poisoning and not consumption of mango kernel gruel, senior Congress leaders Niranjan Pattnaik and Srikant Jena have expressed their shock over the incident and the government’s indifference towards human lives.

In a statement on Sunday, Jena said he was shocked and surprised by the statements of Krushna Chandra Patra, Minister of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare regarding the death of two tribal women in Mandipanka village of Kandhamal district after consuming mango kernel.

“The minister’s claims that the deceased’s family had sufficient food and did not collect their October-December quota is completely false. The rice provided in July, which was meant for July to September, barely lasted for a month. The food for October-December was released on November 2. Why was October’s ration delayed for a month? Isn’t it a criminal offence?,” Jena said.

He further said if the food supplies had been released on time in October, the loss of two precious lives could have been avoided. “The minister’s statements are full of lies, intended only to hide their own failures. The government should not play with the food habits of the tribal population,” he added.

Stating that the villagers were not consuming mango kernels by choice but were forced to do so because of insufficient food, he said, “Why has the collector not visited the village yet? The people in this area face severe hardships in basic health services. While there are no doctors in the local PHC, they travel 120 km to the nearest hospital in Berhampur. The area does not have mobile connectivity, making communication extremely difficult. The minister should have visited the area personally before making any statements.”

“I strongly feel that the Minister should resign for not only making irresponsible and false statements but also committing gross negligence to his duty. A one-month delay in food distribution violates the provisions of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) which is a criminal offence, and those responsible must be held accountable. And the food grain supply should be increased to 15 kg per person per month, with strict enforcement of the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) provision of 35 kg per household,” the Congress leader said.

Speaking in similar vein on the issue, former OPCC president Niranjan Pattnaik said it was a matter of serious concern and shame for the state administration. The block chairman himself had admitted that food distribution under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) has not been made for the month of October.

Stating that nothing could be more shameful than the statement of the government, he said, “We feel proud that our state has a chief minister who comes from tribal area. At the same time, the death of two tribals for lack of food points at gross negligence of the government. If the government truly wants development of Odisha, it should ensure that the state’s three crore people are ensured two square meals under the NFSA.”

Two patients shifted to SCB Hospital

Meanwhile, two of the patients undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital (MKCGMCH) in Berhampur after reportedly consuming mango kernel gruel have been shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) at Cuttack after their condition deteriorated on Sunday.

They have been admitted in MICU of the hospital and are being treated by Department of Medicine, Hepatology and Critical Care unit.

Also Read: Odisha Govt Says Deaths In Kandhamal Due To Food Poisoning, Not Mango Kernel Gruel