Saryu Roy orders probe into alleged hunger death in W Singhbhum

Jamshedpur: State Food and Civil Supplies Minister Saryu Roy Saturday ordered a probe into the alleged hunger death of a 65 year old woman in Porahat village of Sonua block in West Singhbhum on 6th December last.

Citing a newspaper report as the basis for ordering probe, Roy said hunger death was a serious issue. A three member committee comprising a doctor, BDO and a senior district level officer of West Singhbhum would conduct the probe to find out if the woman had died due to hunger, he said.

Speaking to journalists, Roy said, �The team has been sent for probe. The committee would find out the circumstances that led to the woman�s death. Whether she died of hunger or any other cause should become clear once the probe report is available.�

As per the newspaper report, the deceased had Antyodaya ration card but had not got ration for the last three months. The report also says that the woman was a pensioner but had not received pension.

Roy said it should be found out as to why the woman was not given ration by the PDS dealer concerned. He said the Panchayat Mukhiya concerned was not contacted by the local panchayat committee member, Rani Pandya, who had reported the death as per the report. Every Mukhiya has a revolving fund of Rs 10,000 which is to be used to buy foodgrains for families in urgent need, said Roy.

The Minister said efforts were on to improve the ration delivery system in the villages of Jharkhand. He said PDS dealers were directed to ensure supply to all households.