Malnutrition deaths: MoTA fact-finding team visits Nagada

A two-member fact finding a team of the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) today verified the socio-economic condition of Juang tribals of Nagada village in Odisha's Jajpur district where at least 19 kids died allegedly of malnutrition.

"Development programmes need to be taken up in Nagada village where from reports of alleged malnutrition deaths have come. There are no facilities on the hilltop and no road connectivity either. People have to walk long distances for every small need," said Rupak Choudhury, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Stating that the fact finding team would submit its report to the government soon, Choudhury said the Ministry had sent the team to Nagada as the victims belonged to Juang tribal community.

The MoTA team's visit came two days after the visit of a five-member team of the Union Health Ministry to the hilltop village.

Though satisfied over the steps taken in the aftermath of the deaths, the team suggested the state government to take up long-term social welfare programmes in the region.