Baleswar MP RK Jena expressed serious concern over the increasing heat wave and escalating number of sunstroke deaths in Odisha while participating in a debate in Parliament on Thursday.
He urged upon the Union Government to include the heat stroke deaths under the natural disaster and constitute a separate Ministry for natural disaster so that the people need not to run to the ministry of Agriculture, Home and Finance for various purposes.
“The death due to natural disasters, including flood, cyclone and earthquake each year is about 20,000. The bereaved family members have to run from pillar to post. Therefore, I urged the Government to form a new Ministry to deal with the issues, pertaining to natural disaster,” Jena said.
“last year alone, 1,248 people died due to heat stroke. The number could be much higher. The number is almost five times higher than that of the casualties attributed to the flash floods in J&K. Therefore, the Government should include it under the centrally notified list of natural calamities and people should be made eligible for relief under the natural disaster,” Jena said.
He added that despite an alarming situation, hardly has anything been done while on the contrary, trees are being cut more than they are planted.