Bhubaneswar, April 27 (IANS). The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has issued a notice to the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department of Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare of Odisha, Collector of Mayurbhanj and Superintendent of Police. In this notice, ‘Action Taken Report’ has been sought in the case of death of a tribal minor student and students falling ill en masse in an ashram school in the district.
Acting on a petition filed by Biju Janata Dal leader Priyabrata Majhi and others on April 15, the commission has decided to investigate the matter in accordance with the powers conferred on it under Article 338A of the Constitution of India.
The Commission directed that the facts and information, as well as the action taken on the said allegations, be furnished within seven days of receipt of the notice, by post, in person or through any other means of communication.
Commissioners and district officials of the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Development Department have been directed to submit reports, with detailed information of the incident, within the stipulated time. Failure to do so may result in them being called to appear in person.
It is noteworthy that on April 12, hundreds of students of Kakabandha Ashram School in Mayurbhanj district fell ill after eating food cooked in the school.
Rupali Besra, a Class 5 student, who was undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital, Baripada, died during treatment on April 14. Following the incident, the Odisha government initiated an investigation and announced financial assistance of Rs 7 lakh for the family of the deceased student.
After this incident, the headmaster of the school has been suspended and currently an investigation is going on at the Revenue Divisional Commissioner level.
This incident has raised serious concerns about the quality and safety of food served to tribal students in ashram schools. The National Human Rights Commission has also taken cognizance of the matter and sought a report. It is expected that the commission’s notice will speed up the investigation.
Opposition party Biju Janata Dal on Monday alleged that all concerned officials and departments have been directed to respond immediately.
–IANS
PSK