Kaithal DC orders inquiry into death of MGNREGS workers

KARNAL: Days after the death of four women MGNREGS workers in Keorak and Deohra villages, Kaithal deputy commissioner (DC) has ordered an inquiry into the matter under additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Rahul Hooda.

The matter came to light when the family members of the deceased workers alleged that they died following infection as they were forced to clean a drain near a ‘haddi rora’ (place where animal carcasses are dumped).

Other MGNREGS workers alleged that about 14 workers complained of stomach infection while cleaning the Gumthla drain on September 1.

Four workers, including Maya Devi, 58, and Santosh of Keorak village and Shakuntla, 52, and Bohati Devi, 50, of Deohra village, died earlier this month. The bodies of the deceased were reportedly cremated without postmortem.

Kaithal CMO Surender Nain said, “There was no evidence to prove that they died due to any infection and there was no mention in their medical summary in this regard.

“But we have taken the samples of all 45 MGNREGA workers, who were on duty during the period of August 20 to September 5, and the reports will come in a day or two,” he added.

Kaithal DC Priyanka Soni said, “I have ordered an inquiry under the ADC Kaithal. The CMO has been instructed to collect all details about the workers and the deceased.” “As of now, there is no evidence to connect these deaths with work under MGNREGS as they died 10-15 days after they cleaned the drain,” she added.