BHUBANESWAR: The State Government today claimed that all possible measures have been taken to
counter Japanese Encephalitis in Malkangiri district.
Refuting opposition allegation of government inaction and mismanagement in handling the situation arising out of the vector borne disease which claimed more than 120 lives of children, Health Minister Pradip Amat told the Assembly that the central team that visited the district have appreciated the steps taken by the state government.
Responding to a three-hour debate on a motion on government failure to tackle the JE outbreak in the district, Amat said, "There is no truth in the allegations made by Congress and BJP. Of the 103 child deaths till December 2, 37 died of Japanese Encephalitis while AES claimed 66 lives."
The Minister said adequate measure are being taken to check malnutrition in the district.
Moving the motion, leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra attacked the state government for the poor sanitation, lack of basic medical facilities and provision of safe drinking water in the district.
Precious lives of the children who dies due to JE or other unknown diseases could have been saved had the State government taken care of the basic civic requirements of the people.
Mishra came down heavily on the government for spending as little as Rs 1.5 crore on the health services in Malkannagiri while the expenditure in the 'Make In Odisha' conclave is about Rs 45 crore.
Terming the Rs 12,000 ex-gratia announced by the State government for families of the deceased each as inadequate, BJP legislature party leader KV Singhdeo said the poor tribal people have been discriminated as against the families of the fire victims of Sum Hospital who received Rs 5 lakh compensation each.
Singhdeo asked why the Chief Minister has not visited Malkangiri despite more than 120 child deaths reported from the district.