Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Odisha: Man Dies Allegedly of Hunger After Ration Cut
Imagine a 70-year-old man who belonged to a special tribal group in India.
He relied on a government program that gave him food, like a special grocery card.
But, this card was stopped, maybe because a required digital check (eKYC) wasn't done.
Because he didn't get his food for months, he became very weak and sadly passed away.
Some helpers who advocate for people's right to food say this is like dying of hunger because of a system error.
They are asking the government to investigate why this happened and to give money to his family.
They also think the government should make sure everyone in this special tribal group gets food without these complicated checks, and that the government officials should check on them regularly to make sure they are okay.
A 70-year-old tribal man in Odisha's Jajpur district allegedly died of hunger after his government ration was stopped.
Activists claim his Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration card was cancelled, possibly due to non-completion of eKYC, leaving him without food.
The deceased, Risa Mankadia, belonged to the Mankadia community, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
Civil society groups are demanding a probe into the alleged starvation death, compensation for the family, and an end to eKYC barriers for PVTG ration.
Activists allege violations of the Odisha Relief Code and a High Court ruling regarding Aadhaar-linked ration denials.
- Who
- A group of civil society activists and a 70-year-old man from a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Odisha.
- What
- A tribal man allegedly died of hunger after his government ration was stopped, leading to activists calling for a probe and compensation.
- When
- The man died on October 21, and the allegations were made on a Friday.
- Where
- Odisha's Jajpur district, specifically Mankadia Sahi under Ransol Panchayat in Sukinda Block.
- Why
- The man's Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration card was allegedly cancelled, possibly due to non-completion of eKYC, cutting off his food supply.
Activists' Claims
Government Actions/Procedures
Cause of Death
Activists' Claims
The 70-year-old PVTG member died of starvation due to the government's cancellation of his ration card.
Government Actions/Procedures
The government's actions led to the cancellation of the ration card, potentially due to non-completion of eKYC, which deprived him of food. (Implicitly, government agencies deny direct starvation as the cause).
Official Inquiry
Activists' Claims
No post-mortem or official inquiry was conducted, and local officials failed to follow the Odisha Relief Code for starvation deaths.
Government Actions/Procedures
A joint probe by the Scheduled Tribes & Scheduled Caste Development Department and District Administration is suggested, under the supervision of the Odisha Human Rights Commission.
Ration Card Cancellation
Activists' Claims
The ration card was deactivated without notice, violating a High Court ruling against denial of rations for want of Aadhaar.
Government Actions/Procedures
The ration card was cancelled, possibly due to non-completion of eKYC, which is a procedural requirement for the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).
- Deceased
- Risa Mankadia, a 70-year-old man from the Mankadia community (PVTG)
- Location
- Mankadia Sahi, Ransol Panchayat, Sukinda Block, Jajpur district, Odisha
- Date of Death
- October 21
- Ration Card Type
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
- Alleged Reason for Cancellation
- Non-completion of eKYC
- Alleged Outcome
- Death from starvation due to denial of ration
- Alleged Procedural Violation
- Odisha Relief Code mandate for Tahsildar-level inquiry within 48 hours not followed; Odisha High Court ruling on Aadhaar-based ration denial violated