'Hunger deaths result of non-implementation of welfare schemes'

Mahoba, Oct 9 (UNI) A team of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which reached the city today to inquest alleged hunger death cases, observed that Centrally sponsored welfare schemes were not being ''implemented honestly.'' The two-member team comprising L B Issac and Gyan Singh reviewed development works, Bhoomi Sena Yojna and Sampoorna Gram Swarojgar Yojna, besides the assistance provided to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families and farmers.

''Officials do not implement the schemes honestly, owing to which, people of this educationally backward district are hardly benefitted. All the funds allotted under such schemes go into the pockets of these officials,'' the NHRC team said.

They later inspected the Charkhari tehsil, where a number of farmers, either allegedly died of hunger or committed suicide, following inability to repay the debts.

The members inquested the suicides of farmers Amarpal Singh and Uma Shankar Shivhare at villages Kuna and Soopa respectively. They also probed the five hunger deaths in a family during the last five years in Kharela area.

UNI