BHUBANESWAR: A day after a tribal man of Kalahandi had to carry his dead wife on his shoulders in the absence of ambulance service, chief minister Naveen Patnaik launched a new scheme, 'Mahaprayan' under which dead bodies will be carried from hospitals free of cost. However, launching of the scheme has come in for strong criticism from the opposition political parties.
The scheme was launched by the chief minister at Bajapur under Mahanga block in Cuttack district where he unveiled several other projects.
Family members will be provided vehicles to carry the dead bodies of their relatives who die in hospitals to their homes free of cost under this scheme. The scheme will be available at all the district headquarters hospitals and three medical colleges and hospitals in the State. Leader of the opposition Narasingh Mishra, however, alleged the new scheme has been launched in view of the panchayat polls in February next year. "This government only talks but never acts," Mishra said and added like other schemes, 'Mahaprayan' will also not reach the needy people.
Alleging that a dead body also has a right to dignity, Mishra said in this case the state government has failed to protect it. Stating that the Kalahandi case is not a solitary instance, he said there are many such incidents when the right to life and dignity of poor people are compromised in the State.
BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma said like the death of children in Nagada, the Kalahandi incident has again exposed the government's claim of all round development. Sharma called upon the state government to accept its failure and take sincere steps to implement schemes meant for poor people.
The chief minister also dedicated 100 bridges under Biju Setu Yojana and announced inclusion of three lakh beneficiaries under Madhu Babu Pension Yojana.
Among others, Rural Development minister Badri Narayan Patra, minister for women and child development Usha Devi, minister of state for steel and mines Prafulla Mallick, BJD MPs Bhatruhari Mahatab, Baijayant Panda, Kulamani Samal and all MLAs of Cuttack were present.