Opposition BJP and Congress in the State Assembly on Tuesday demanded that a House Committee be constituted under the chairmanship of Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha to assess the cholera situation in Kashipur of Rayagada district.
BJP Chief Whip Mohan Majhi said that though as many as 14 people have died of cholera in the area, the Government has put the death toll at nine stating that the remaining five died of natural causes.
Majhi said a 14-member team of the BJP visited the area on July 24 and found that the disease has spread to Dasmantapur, Thuamul Rampur, and other nearby areas of Kalahandi and Koraput districts.
He said the cholera broke out as the people consumed polluted water from a tank and alleged that the water was polluted after the Utkal Alumina released its waste water to the tank without treatment. The intake of contaminated water released by the chemicals company based out of Rayagada is the main reason behind the cholera outbreak, Majhi alleged.
Congress member Tara Prasad Bahinipati also echoed Majhi’s concerns and urged the Speaker to take the issue seriously and constitute an all-party committee to assess the situation. He also demanded a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to next kin of the deceased.
Congress member Santosh Singh Saluja said the BJD Government has totally failed to provide drinking water to the people even after ruling the State for 22 years in a row.
The BJP and Congress members trooped into the Well of thee House and urged the Speaker to give a ruling for formation of a House Committee.
The Speaker stated that there is already a House Committee under his chairmanship to look into such a situation and that he reserved his ruling and would inform the members about his decision on the issue soon.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kisore Das said the cholera death toll might have increased by now. “We had informed the figure as per earlier reports,” said he, adding that the situation is currently under control.