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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Bengal's starvation village back in focus -Sujay Khanra

Bengal's starvation village back in focus -Sujay Khanra

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published Published on Nov 28, 2012   modified Modified on Nov 28, 2012
-The Times of India

MIDNAPORE: Three days after TOI reported on the plight of Amlashole villager Malati Shabar, the Mamata Banerjee government sent officials to the poverty-stricken village with food.

Malati is the daughter of Somay Shabar, who had died of starvation along with her sister Sombari in 2004. TOI had reported on Saturday that Malati was also in dire straits and fighting hunger pangs.

The government on Tuesday ordered an inquiry into the matter.

Food minister Jyotipriyo Mullick and West Midnapore district magistrate Surendra Gupta, who were given the responsibility of the probe, have promised food as well as a home for Malati.

Belpahari BDO Sarboday Saha and sub-divisional food controller Swapan Tarafdar went to Malati's crumbling mud hut, but couldn't meet her as she had already left for work in Amjhorna, around 3km away.

Speaking to the villagers, the BDO reportedly learnt that after Somay's death, the family was provided a home under a scheme to rehabilitate tribals. But problems cropped up after Malati's brother Buddu got married. Malati was driven out of the house and left on her own. She was pushed to the brink. Malati now stays in a ramshackle mud hut.

"I had gone to meet her but she had left for her work by then. I will submit my report to the district magistrate," Saha told TOI. The DM added: "It appears she has been forced out of her home. As a temporary measure, we will try to convince her brother to provide shelter to Malati till we build a new home for her."

Malati's absence was also a reason why Tarafdar could not handover 10-kg of rice to her on Tuesday. He left the rice with the local ration dealer and asked him to give it to Malati early Wednesday morning.

The minister later told TOI: "Malati's plight seems to be due to the bickering between siblings. But we'll try to help her. Another 10 kilos of rice will be given to her. Food will not be a problem for her."

The 2004 hunger deaths had shocked the nation and shamed Bengal. A metalled road, a little improvement in water supply, irrigation and electricity have been added to Amlashole's list of 'development' since the deaths, but the misery of the common man continues. Even now, while the administration focuses on Malati, others suffer the same plight.


The Times of India, 28 November, 2012, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Bengals-starvation-village-back-in-focus/articleshow/17395667.cms


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