JE: Odisha CM announces Rs 3 lakh, pucca house for families of deceased kids

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Malkangiri, Dec 24:

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh and pucca house for each of the families of the deceased kids who died due to Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Malkangiri district.

Patnaik made the announcement during his visit to Malkangiri district to lay foundation stones and inaugurate several projects.

The Chief Minister also held a meeting over post-JE situation in the district. Transport Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi, MP Balabhadra Majhi, Malkangiri and Chitrakonda MLAs, Additional Chief Secretary, Malkangiri Collector and CDMO were present in the meeting.

“I have reviewed the health situation in the district. All preventive measures have been taken against the occurrence of JE. 96 per cent of the children have already been vaccinated. The remaining four per cent will be vaccinated in the next 3-4 days,” Patnaik said.

“Forty two thousand mosquito nets have been supplied. About one lakh more mosquito nets will be supplied shortly,” he said.

“All round development of Malkangiri is my priority. I am very concerned over the death of children in the district. I convey my condolences to the bereaved families. I have announced an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh to each family. Besides, special allotment for pucca ghar will be made for those families. Our fight against disease and poverty will continue,” Patnaik added.

Worth mentioning, the BJP and Congress today observed a bandh in Malkangiri protesting Patnaik’s visit to the district and alleging government’s inaction in Japanese Encephalitis deaths.