Nagada malnourishment deaths: Govt to form task force

Bhubaneswar: The State government has decided to constitute a task force to ensure development of Nagada area in Jajpur district following reports of death of 18 children on account of acute malnourishment.

The development commissioner, R Balakrishnan, who convened a meeting after receiving the report by the social welfare director, informed that the task force will look into the overall development of the area including health, roads, electricity and drinking water.

Moreover, a nodal officer will be appointed in each department to review the work and the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) will submit a report on the progress every week, informed the Balakrishnan.

Notably, as many as 18 children have allegedly died of malnutrition in the last three months in the mining dominated area.

Nagada is situated on a hilltop in a dense forest under mineral-rich Sukinda block. Located about 30 km from Sukinda chromite valley and more than 50 km from Kalinga Nagar Industrial complex, there is virtually no road to the village.

Even for basic necessities, the villagers have to trek more than 15 km through a dense forest to reach a motorable road, sources said.