BHUBANESWAR: A day after the death of two tribal women due to consuming mango kernel gruel in Kandhamal district, the state government expressed serious concern over the reluctance of some communities to shun the traditional food practice despite provisioning of adequate food grains to them.
Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra on Saturday said the deaths were due to food poisoning caused by stale gruel. “It is disheartening that mango kernel continues to be a traditional staple in some tribal communities. Despite warnings and awareness campaigns they still consume the hazardous seed even if there is sufficient food in their house,” he told mediapersons.
As per preliminary reports received from the district administration, the minister said, the women along with others in Mandipanka village had consumed pakhal (fermented water rice) and mango kernel gruel which was kept for last two-three days. They fell ill due to food poisoning and two of them died under treatment, he said.
Patra also said all 69 families in the village, including the affected households, are getting rice under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). “They have already received rice from July to September. Since the families had sufficient rice, they did not lift the October-December quota. All the retailers have been asked to provide rice to the beneficiaries immediately,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida expressed grief but blamed the dietary habits of tribals for the tragic deaths. Parida, also the Women and Child Development minister, said ASHA and Anganwadi workers have been directed to carry out regular awareness drives to discourage the use of mango kernels as a food option.
On the other hand, Congress leader and former Union Minister Srikant Jena visited the village on Saturday and lashed out at the government stating that the tribals are forced to eat mango kernel as they are not provided ration (rice) in time. “The beneficiaries are supposed to get the October-December quota in October itself. How will they survive if October rice is provided in November?” he questioned.
Highlighting that the quantity of 5 kg a month per person often falls short for tribal families, Jena demanded that it should be increased to 15 kg a month. He accused the district administration of being callous to such a tragic incident.
“The district collector is yet to visit the village and a PHC located nearly five km away lacks a doctor. There is no mobile network and residents are subjected to prolonged and frequent power cuts,” he stated.
Meanwhile, a team of health officials has collected the gruel samples and water from the village. The samples have been sent for tests. Director of Health Services Dr Bijay Mohapatra said the report is expected in a week.
The district administration has also provided a financial assistance of Rs 30,000 each to families and Rs 10,000 to those who are under treatment.