INDIA: Corruption causes starvation in Musahar community in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Food Justice April 2, 2007 No comments

The Musahar community, in Varanasi district, is socially and economically one of the most marginalized communities in India. The Musahar community falls under the category of Scheduled Caste. Although the practice of untouchability is a crime in Indian law the Musahar community is not allowed to enjoy social life with the mainstream society and to share common amenities in the village. Read more about INDIA: Corruption causes starvation in Musahar community in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh …

INDIA: Government sleeps over 386 confirmed cases of Fluorosis in Sonebhadra district of Uttar Pradesh state

Food Justice January 26, 2007 No comments

The Gram Swarajya Samithi conducted a survey in nine villages located in Chopan, Dudhi and Myorpur blocks and identified the cases mentioned above. There are are concerns that at least 36,000 persons will soon become handicapped in the very near future if nothing is done to improve the situation. On an earlier initiative by the Samithi, scientists from the Indian Council for Medical Research lead by Dr. Chandra Kumar Dolla and Dr. Surendra Kumar took samples of water from the tube-wells of the region for detailed tests between 20 and 24 July 2004. Though the results of the tests were not made available after several requests by the Samithi, they were informed that the tests conducted by the scientists revealed that the fluoride content in the water samples showed at levels at least five to six times the normal values. Read more about INDIA: Government sleeps over 386 confirmed cases of Fluorosis in Sonebhadra district of Uttar Pradesh state …

INDIA: The ‘blame game’ continues between state officials and local authorities over the starvation deaths of 8 persons

Food Justice September 25, 2006 No comments

The victims; Moral Hembram, Bidoy Hembram, Mongla Mardi, Som Besra, Sundari Hembram, Malati Kisku, Dharni Murmu and Ghasirena Tudu; were all members of the so-called “backward classes” of caste-conscious India. Read more about INDIA: The ‘blame game’ continues between state officials and local authorities over the starvation deaths of 8 persons …

INDIA: Children dying of starvation due to uninterested government officials

Food Justice July 28, 2006 No comments

Nine-month-old Seema Musahar died this morning, July 28 in Belwa village, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh after desperate attempts of her mother, 35-year-old Laxmi Musahar to get help for her infant at the local health centre and other places. As the AHRC mentioned in a statement issued yesterday July 27 (AS-180-2006), Laxmi had to pawn her two saris to a neighbour to get some money with which to take her child to get treatment, but still this was not enough to save her. Read more about INDIA: Children dying of starvation due to uninterested government officials …

INDIA: Failure of Public Distribution System in Barabanki District, Uttar Pradesh

Food Justice May 9, 2006 No comments

The 200 villagers from Nindura congregated in response to a promise made by local block officials to resolve the problems of the PDS shop and its functionality by April 19, 2006. The group additionally called on the local authorities not only to provide ration cards to those who are not receiving any assistance, but to also allot new Ration Shops in the Dadera and Odoria villages (gram panchayat). Furthermore, the villagers also complained that the local village council leaders (gram pradhan) and Secretary were demanding bribes for the distribution of Anntoyoda, Annapurna, and Below Poverty Line ration cards in those villages, as well as in Munimpur. To date, no ration cards of any kind have been provided to the victims, who are all suffering from the lack of food, despite their eligibility. Read more about INDIA: Failure of Public Distribution System in Barabanki District, Uttar Pradesh …

UPDATE (India): More starvation deaths, more lies in Murshidabad, West Bengal

Food Justice March 31, 2006 No comments

Mr. Jayram Singh, from the Pakurdiar Village, had been suffering from severe malnutrition and was in critical condition when his wife, Ms. Bisni Mal, died in late January from starvation. His son, Bhadu Singh, had been away from the home when Bisni passed away. Bhadu returned home a few days later to find his father rapidly deteriorating in health. In an attempt to get help for his father, Bhadu approached the Block Development Office (BDO) in Jalangi and the head of the village administration for some food assistance and a Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration card. However, he received no help and his father died from the lack of food three days later. Read more about UPDATE (India): More starvation deaths, more lies in Murshidabad, West Bengal …

INDIA: Starving Musahar community face exploitation in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh

Food Justice March 5, 2006 No comments

The AHRC requests that you to write letters to the local administration, asking them to immediately address the hunger concerns of this community and ensure that all assistance schemes are functioning to prevent further starvation deaths from occurring. Moreover, persons, police officers and other concerned government authorities who have been found to be exploiting and torturing villagers of the Musahar community must be charged and punished. Read more about INDIA: Starving Musahar community face exploitation in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh …

INDIA: New eviction case in the name of road expansion, West Bengal

Food Justice February 15, 2006 No comments

The State government of West Bengal is to commence a road expansion project funded by the Central Government. The planned project involves the widening of 21 kilometers along Budge-Budge Trunk Road, located in the South 24 Paraganas district. Several thousand families currently live along this road and the expansion will mean the destruction of their homes and lives. District administration is currently sketching a plan to evict the families who have resided beside the road for many decades. However, no proposals for resettlement or compensation for the victims has been included in the eviction plan. Read more about INDIA: New eviction case in the name of road expansion, West Bengal …

UPDATE (India): River erosion continues to swallow lives and livelihoods in Jalangi, MurshidabadUPDATE (India): River erosion continues to swallow lives and livelihoods in Jalangi, Murshidabad

Food Justice February 3, 2006 No comments

In late January, a mass petition was signed by 95 people living in Dayarampur village who had protested against the lack of government action to halt the erosion of the Padma River. The petition suggested that the government plan to build a 1.5 kilometre embankment, from Dayarampur to Taltali villages, will yield no beneficial result in halting the erosion as such a small embankment will be washed away during the coming monsoon season. Currently, the river has eroded 18 kilometres of river bank, encroaching 10 kilometres into the village of Dayarampur. The government plan also fails to consider the other villages affected by the erosion, such as Sitanagar, Undayanagar, Suryanagar, and others. Read more about UPDATE (India): River erosion continues to swallow lives and livelihoods in Jalangi, MurshidabadUPDATE (India): River erosion continues to swallow lives and livelihoods in Jalangi, Murshidabad …

UPDATE (India): Basic assistance provided by government insufficient in maintaining the livelihoods of indigenous quarry workers in Mirzapur District, Uttar Pradesh

Food Justice February 1, 2006 No comments

On September 24, 2005 the District Magistrate (DM) of Mirzapur, Mr. Umesh Kumar Mittal, and the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) visited the Kodwari village, under direction from the National Human Rights Commission, to meet with the victims and discuss their concerns. Soon after their visit, 95 AAY (Anthyodaya Anna Yojana) cards, given to families living below the poverty line, and 10 Annapurna cards (ration cards for senior citizens) were distributed among the villagers. Twenty-five families were also given Rs. 800 each to build houses and two families were promised Rs. 5,000 in compensation. The village was also visited by the Circle Officer and SHO (Station House Officer) of Police. Subsequently, after their visit, the Public Distribution Shops in the area were reviewed and the shops are now open regularly, finally providing rations to those who have cards. Read more about UPDATE (India): Basic assistance provided by government insufficient in maintaining the livelihoods of indigenous quarry workers in Mirzapur District, Uttar Pradesh …