Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Gop, May 5:

The effective implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA) in Odisha has posed pertinent questions as an old man today attempted to end life after he failed to secure a ration card in which subsidized foodgrains are provided to the beneficiaries.

Benudhar Mallick from Nagasahi village under Erabanga panchayat under Gop Block in Puri district today climbed atop a Java plum tree on the Block office premises and tried to hang himself.

However, some construction labourers working in the campus raised an alarm after spotting him. The people present nearby pulled him down and prevented him from committing suicide.

He was rushed to Gop Community Health Centre (CHC) and admitted for treatment. The condition of the distraught man was said to be stable.

“I ran from pillar to post to get a ration card but in vain. I have exhausted all my money to submit application to avail a ration card. I am very poor and a landless man. I am left with no option but to die,” said the distressed man Benudhar Mallick.

Mallick attempted suicide when the Panchayat meeting was in progress. Puri MLA Maheswar Mohanty, Kakatpur MLA Surendra Sethi, Block Chairman and other officials were present while the incident took place.

“He had approached me with his complaint. I had intimated this to MI. He had even met BDO over the issue. However, he played hide and seek with him,” said Chandrakant Sahu, Samiti member, Erabanga panchayat.

As per reports, BDO Shyamsundar Tudu had referred him to supply inspector but all in vain.

When contacted, Shyamsundar Tudu said: “This is a sensitive matter. This will be sorted out in 4-5 days.”

It may be mentioned here that there had been widespread allegations of eligible beneficiaries being left out and ineligible ones being enrolled under the NFSA for the pro-poor scheme.