The Bokaro district administration has denied that the man Bhukhal Ghasi of Kamra village in Bokaro district died due to starvation, but was suffering from disease. Following the allegation made social that Ghasi died due starvation, Chief Minister Hemant Soren had ordered a probe in the case.
Kasmar BDO Rajesh Kumar Sinha said, “We have carried out a probe in the death and came to know that the man was suffering from some disease and was undergoing treatment from local doctors.”
Sinha said, “Ghasi’s three brothers informed district administration officials that in July/August Ghasi returned from Bangalore. His body was swollen. He was undergoing treatment from a local doctor.”
The BDO claimed that the victim’s brother also informed that Gomia MLA Lambodar Mahto too had agreed to provide medical treatment to Ghasi at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).
On the intervention of Gomia lawmaker ambulance was arranged at Ghasi’s house twice.
He was to be admitted at RIMS, but as there was no attendant for patient so he was not admitted.
Sinha also claimed that the district administration also went through the economic condition of victim’s.
The victim (Ghasi) and his three brothers jointly owned 1 acre 35 decimals land at Kamra village.
Ghasi is survived by five children who included three daughters and two sons. One daughter and son are married. The district administration also came to know that both his sons are earning while one son works at a local brick kiln the other one works at hotel in Petarwar.
The district administration also came to know that as Ghasi was living with his father the ration card was in the name of Bhukhal Ghasi’s father Ramu Ghasi, but after the death the ration card had expired and Bhukal’s family members had applied for it.
Ghasi, who was working as a labourer in Bangalore, returned home after his parents died within two days in July last year due to age-related ailments. The house allotted to his parents under Indira Awas Yojana is being used by Ghasi’s married son while he and his wife stayed in a mud house nearby, official sources said.
The district administration as financial assistance had provided Rs 20,000 to deceased family members and even ordered for pension to deceased’s widow.
This is the first instance of alleged starvation death since the JMM/Congress/RJD government came to power in December last year.
On November 7 last year, the then state food and civil supplies minister Saryu Roy had said there was a protocol to give ration under the Annapurna Yojana to the needy.
There are grain banks and Rs 10,000 has been given to village heads, who can be approached for assistance, he had said.