Not a single death in Bengal due to malnutrition or starvation: Chandrima

Kolkata: Minister of State for Health Chandrima Bhattacharya said in the state Assembly on Monday that there has not been a single death in Bengal due to malnutrition or starvation.

Refuting the allegations of

CPI(M) MLA Sujan Chakraborty that two children had died due to malnutrition at Mekhliganj Sadar Hospital in Cooch Behar district, Bhattacharya claimed that one of them died of a cardiac problem while the other died of high fever.

"Any death is unfortunate and painful. However, we have received reports regarding the deaths. One of the two died of a cardiac problem while another succumbed to the high fever. Four persons who are admitted to the hospital there are stable," she maintained.

According to the district administration, the two children who died are Rupali Burman and Susmita Burman aged 9 and 10 respectively.

The four who are presently undergoing treatment includes a woman and her two sons and a daughter.

Bhattacharya said one of the two children who died of cardiac problems was undergoing treatment for quite some time and was referred to Jalpaiguri Hospital. "Bengal is the state where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has ensured that more than 8 lakh people get rice at Rs 2 per kg. So there is no possibility of starvation or malnutrition here," Bhattacharya emphasised.

In response to a Congress MLA's charge about malnutrition of one Lakshmi Murmu at Mayureshwar in Birbhum, state Agriculture minister Asish Banerjee said the district administration has taken all possible measures to ensure that there is no problem with regard to food.