New Delhi (VISAKEO): Nearly 250 people have died of cholera in three districts of southern Orissa recently, an NGO claimed on Sunday. The official death toll in the outbreak has been put at 115.
"Official figures are being kept deliberately low in order to minimise the amount of compensation. If the government reveals the true figure, they would have to offer compensation to many more families," a press release issued by ActionAid said.
The disease had mostly spread in tribal-dominated districts of Koraput, Rayagada and Kalahandi. The State Government has announced compensation of Rs 10,000 to the families of the dead. "The affected people are tribals who suffer from widespread discrimination and official neglect," the NGO alleged.
The State Government should invest in repairing the defunct tube wells, disinfecting water sources and scale up medical facilities in the tribal pockets, it said.
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