State Food and Civil Supplies Minister lobin Hembrom on Monday gave a clean chit to the Ramgarh district administration for the death of Kamlesh Munda allegedly due to starvation, saying the officials were not at fault. 

Hembrom had summoned Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner Abu Imran to his office, seeking a detailed report on the issue after the former failed to visit the village of the deceased on Sunday.

“Ramgarh DC had come to me with his report on the alleged death of Kamlesh Munda due to starvation and had a detailed discussion with him on the issue. It appears that the family was being provided adequate food and health assistance by the district administration,” maintained Hembrom.

“It does not seem to be a fault of the district administration as about 40-50 kg of rice had been delivered to the family in the month of September only,” added Hembrom. “Moreover, according to the Government records, mobile medical van had also visited the village as well as the family recently,” he said.    

The Minister further added that the incident is being reviewed following which proper steps will be taken in this regard in order to check such unfortunate deaths in the future. He also assured that the family of the deceased will be provided assistance from the food and civil supply department to ensure regular assistance of food and health assistance.

Munda died on Thursday allegedly due to hunger and lack of medical aid in Betul village under Gola block of Ramgarh. The death of parents and sister of Kamlesh had also hit the headlines in December, 2003 following which seven officials of the district administration were suspended. The high court had also observed that no schemes were made available to the family.

After the deaths, the state government had admitted Kamlesh and his younger brother Sunil to a residential school run by the Social Welfare department. They, however, were sent back to their home after they failed in class X examinations. Ramgarh DC Abu Imran, on the other hand, despite several attempts could not be contacted over phone on Monday.