NHRC seeks ATR on mango kernel deaths in two districts

The National Human Rights Commission has asked the district collectors of Kandhamal and Rayagada to submit an action taken report over the death of two women after the victims were forced to consume mango kernel gruel with PDS rice eluding them.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

The previous BJD government only made promises, but now the double engine government in Odisha, is one which keeps its promises, said Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan while participating in the "Empowerment of the kendu leaf Workers — Rights, Opportunities and Welfare" program here.

Citing an instance, he said the former chief minister Naveen Patnaik had promised additional bonus of Rs 100 on paddy to farmers but never provided it.

In this program organized by the joint initiative of the Forest and Labor Departments of the State Government in Sambalpur, Pradhan said,

The complainant Radhakanta Tripathy, a human rights lawyer, alleged that in Kandhamal and Rayagada districts of Odisha, tribal communities are facing severe deprivation, with at least two tribal women dying and several others falling ill after consuming mango kernel gruel due to lack of food rations under the Public Distribution System (PDS), which was suspended for months.