UPDATE (India): Starvation deaths continue despite government’s commitment to provide food assistance in West Bengal

[Re: UA-161-2005: INDIA: Human rights defender physically assaulted, threatened and detained by government officials; HU-04-2005: INDIA: UNICEF still avoiding responsibility in providing assistance to starving women and children in West Bengal; UA-59-2005: INDIA: Police attack on human rights defender and his family in Murshidabad, West Bengal; HA-02-2005: INDIA: Starvation deaths occurring in Murshidabad district, West Bengal]

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information from Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (Masum) regarding the current hunger situation in Jalangi, Murshidabad, West Bengal. After months of suffering from hunger and malnutrition, the people of Jalangi were delighted to hear that their names would now be listed under state welfare schemes. However, five days after this victory, another starvation death occurred in the district, pointing to the failures of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in West Bengal.

The AHRC urges you to request for an immediate investigation into the matter, pressing upon the appropriate authorities to take responsibility for the inefficient and ineffective welfare schemes currently found in West Bengal. While the government’s action of listing victims under the PDS is commendable, it is still inadequate in protecting the right to food in India.

Urgent Appeals Desk – Hunger Alert
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
———————————————————–

UPDATE INFORMATION:

On September 4, 2005, the villagers of Jalangi, Murshidabad rejoiced at the good news; over 500 names, submitted by Masum, were added to about 20 ration dealer shops throughout the district. This meant that for the first time, the hunger victims in Jalangi would benefit from subsidized food through the Public Distribution System (PDS). Men, women and children in the area ran to the ration shops, eager to celebrate the seeming victory.

Masum had previously submitted the names to local authorities in March 2005, and met with the Block Development Officer and District Magistrate in Murshidabad, and the governor of West Bengal about the hunger crisis in mid-July. They were concerned that if the government did not act quickly to help the victims, violence was imminent in Jalangi. 
However, on September 9, 2005, the severity of the hunger crisis in Jalangi was realized again. Hazrat Mollah, aged 55, died of starvation in Dayarampur village. He had been suffering from malnutrition for a long period of time.

Hazrat’s name was one of the many that had been submitted to the PDS (SL. No. 64). However, he was still unable to provide food for himself and unfortunately, passed away only five days after being afforded assistance.

This is not the first instance where the inefficiency of the PDS has resulted in hunger and starvation in West Bengal. It has been reported on several occasions that the quality or quantity of assistance is insufficient, that ration shops are closed, or that one has been denied food assistance even when providing proof of being a ration card holder.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

For over 10 years, the Padma River has been eroding. Many homes and livelihoods have disappeared because of the swelling river, and the result has been the starving villagers in Jalangi. In recent years, the erosion has worsened and the hunger situation has grown significantly. 

Several hunger deaths have been reported in the area, most recently on March 7, 2005. Please see HA-02-2005 for more details pertaining to the hunger crisis that persists.

Moreover, hunger and starvation in Jalangi has been a highly sensitive issue for the local authorities in Murshidabad. Mr. Gopen Sharma, a human rights worker from the area, has been threatened and attacked on numerous occasions by police and government officials for supporting the victims of hunger. Please see UA-59-2005 and UA-161-2005 for more information.

SUGGESTED ACTION:

Please write a letter to the Chief Minister of West Bengal and other related officials, urging them to investigate the situation. Please request that the appropriate measures must be taken to ensure that the Public Distribution System in the state provides sufficient and nutritious food assistance to its beneficiaries. Furthermore, please ask that the PDS be monitored to ensure it works properly, where by being placed under welfare schemes guarantees that quality food assistance is provided. 

—————-

To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER