Kendrapada: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Chief Secretary to take appropriate action against the officials responsible for denying freedom fighter pension to Meera Devi, who died in Covid sans her legitimate rights. Meera Devi was the youngest daughter-in-law of late Laxmikanta Mohapatra, the author of ‘Bande Utkala Janani’ the state anthem of Odisha. The NHRC passed the order recently acting on a petition filed by human rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy. The Commission after considering various reports from the state and district administration of Bhadrak and the reports of Union home ministry, directed Bhadrak district Magistrate to provide complete administrative assistance to Meera Devi, 87, spouse of late Gour Chandra Mohapatra. The copy of the proceeding was also forwarded to Union Home Secretary, and to Odisha Chief Secretary, for information and for ensuring compliance with the direction of the Commission. Pursuant to the directions of the Commission, Bhadrak Collector, mentioned that the requisite documents of the victim have been submitted to the Union Home Affairs Under Secretary, for grant of dependent SSSY pension in favour of Meera Devi. The Union Under Secretary expressed its inability as the complainant has stated that the victim has died during the pendency of her complaint before this Commission and requested the DM & Collector, Bhadrak, to verify the same.
As per the Bhadrak District Magitrate report May 17, 2023 Meera Devi has already expired June 15, 2021, a day after NHRC took cognizance of the case. But the Bhadrak DM in its report March 17, 2023 mentioned that complete administrative assistance has been provided to Meera Devi. As a result, various documents have been collected and the same has been duly attested by Deputy Collector, Bhadrak. Documents including an attested copy of specimen signature, identification marks, self photograph, affidavit, date of birth, and family details have been forwarded to the union Under Secretary (EZ), FFR Division. Stating that the reports are contradictory in nature the Commission asked the Odisha Chief Secretary, to look into the same and take appropriate action against the officials responsible if found guilty. The Union Home Secretary and the Odisha Chief Secretary are further recommended to take appropriate action as per the rules.