looking at the pitiable condition of alleged starvation death victim in Simdega, the Jharkhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (JSCPCR) would recommend the district administration to provide the family a house under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY) and put in efforts to admit the deceased kid’s siblings in different schools.
Chairperson of JSCPCR Aarti Kujur lead a team to deceased Santoshi Kumari’s house at Karamti village in Simdega on Monday. And, after interacting with the family, she said that the family economic condition is very bad that needs immediate attention. Kujur said that she will write to Simdega DC to grant affordable housing to the family under PMAY, while both her siblings will be admitted in different schools.
“After getting first hand inputs from her family members, we are focusing upon Santoshi’s siblings whose lives are in dark at the moment. The younger sister of the deceased in studying in class IV, the SCPCR will ensure that after completing her studies till class V at her native place, she gets admission at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV),” said Kujur.
Also, Kujur accepted that due to the family’s present socio-economic condition, they are not in a position to feed the kids properly. Besides, the Chairperson said that the family is wholly dependent upon the daily wage income or else need the assistance of someone to manage their day to day living.
“The standard of living of the family is below our imagination. Even the youngest child of the family (Santoshi’s brother) is malnourished. We have advised the local officials to provide instant medical care to the family and keep a record of it. After much hue and cry, the family members have got the ration card. Other basic amenities are being arranged by the district administration team there,” Kujur said.
The JSCPCR Chairperson stated that after enquiring about the condition of Santoshi’s parent from neighbours, it is clear that, the entire family is addicted to alcohol and have this habit of drinking regularly. Kujur also mentioned that as there is no regular source of income in the family, even Santoshi at times was compelled to work leaving her studies to add on to the family income.
Kujur further added that due to Santoshi’s irregular presence in school, the girl was left with no other option other than to either be dependent on someone else for food or to starve. “The villagers informed us that in return of work, Santoshi used to get food from different families. Also, as per the medical report of Santoshi, she was suffering from Malaria. However, even after getting suggestion from the village dwellers to admit the child in the hospital for preliminary care, the family did not pay heed to the advice of the village dwellers,” she added.