Delay to dispose JE death’s plaint decried

The Right to Food Campaign has once again urged the Odisha State Food Commission (OSFC) to conduct an inquiry into its complaint of death of 70 tribal children due to spread of Japanese Encephalitis in Malkangiri and the administration’s negligence at the earliest.

“I had filed a complaint with the State Food Commission seeking an inquiry into death of 70 tribal children due to outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis, maladministration, collapse of health delivery service, food insecurity in Malkangiri district.

Though more than a year has passed, the commission has not informed me if inquiry has started or outcome of inquiry, if completed,” Campaign convenor Pradip Pradhan wrote to the OSFC Chairman.

He requested the Chairman to update him if inquiry has been initiated and any letter or direction issued to State Government or the district administration.

Besides, he wanted to be informed that if the commission requires more time to conduct hearing and disposal of the case.

He mentioned that he has got to know through RTI application that the commission has, during the last one-and-a-half year, received and heard only five cases, and not a single case has been disposed.