OHRC calls for Rs 4 lakh compensation in 'food poisoning' death case

The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has requested the state government to provide Rs 4 lakh as compensation to the family of a young tribal girl who passed away in 2014 due to suspected food poisoning at a residential school in Keonjhar district.

Even though the government had previously given Rs 1 lakh as compensation, the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has stated that this amount is not enough. As a result, the commission has suggested an additional compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the family of the girl. Out of this amount, Rs 2 lakh will be kept in a fixed deposit for five years in a nationalized bank.

The commission has instructed the Keonjhar collector to take necessary actions to locate the family of the girl and provide the remaining Rs 2 lakh within two months.

Based on the report presented to the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC), around 20 students at the school experienced symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting after eating their meals on February 25 and 26. Ratani Dehury, an 11-year-old student in Class IV, was transferred to the Keonjhar district headquarters hospital when her condition worsened. Unfortunately, she passed away during treatment on February 26.

To cover the expenses of Ratani Dehury's funeral, Rs 50,000 was provided from the district Red Cross fund. The district administration has recommended the matter to the ST and SC development department to consider granting ex gratia assistance.

According to sources, human rights activist Prabir Kumar Das approached the OHRC to address the issue based on previously submitted information. The commission had sent multiple reminders to the collector, but they did not receive a report on the incident.