Bargarh: An elderly woman allegedly died of starvation after being denied her quota of rice under the public distribution system (PDS) at Khuntapalli village under Sadar block in this district Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Kunduru Nag (65), wife of Jadu Nag. Neighbours alleged that she died of starvation after being denied rice under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana despite being a PDS beneficiary.
On being informed, revenue inspector Florina Pardia and panchayat executive officer Dileshwar Bhoi reached her house and started an investigation.
The block officials gave away Rs 2,000 under the Harishchandra Yojana to the deceased’s husband for the last rites.
The deceased was living with her husband in an Indira Awas Yojana house near the old panchayat office in the village. The couple had grown feeble due to age related problems and was unable to move out to earn livelihood, a relative Kumudini Nag said.
Most of the time, they were living on alms given by their neighbours while they had to go without food sometimes.
The two were going without food for the last two days after exhausting their rice stock, Kumudini and the neighbours said. Kumudini visited the panchayat office with a hope to get 35 kg rice for the couple with Kunduru’s Antyodaya card.
To her dismay, the panchayat officials refused to give her rice and stated that the beneficiary must herself come to the office to receive the rice. She returned back with a heavy heart and her apprehension came true after Kunduru died of starvation.
When contacted, the panchayat executive officer said he had ordered delivery of rice to Kunduru Tuesday after learning about her ordeal. However, she died before she could receive the rice.
RI Pardia said a probe is on to ascertain the veracity of the claim of starvation death and a report will be submitted to the higher-ups for action after completion of the probe.
BDO Sarat Bag said a joint probe comprising the police, the tehsildar and the block officials will be taken up and action will be taken after receiving the report.
PNN