Kendrapara, Nov. 12: A 45-year-old man Niranjan Singh, who attempted self-immolation in front of the district collector's office during chief minister Naveen Patnaik's Kendrapara visit on November 8, succumbed to his burn injuries today.
"We have been informed that Singh died at the burn unit of SCB Medical College and Hospital today despite the best efforts by the doctors. The administration was bearing the cost of his treatment. An ex-gratia of Rs 10,000 from district Red Cross Society funds has been provided to Singh's family," said Kendrapara additional district magistrate Dhnanajay Swain.
Singh, a native of Jagulaipada village, had knocked on the doors of district collector's weekly grievance cell a day before his self-immolation attempt. Over the past year, Singh had been seeking administrative help for his problems . He had also warned the district administration that he would end his life if his grievances were not taken care of.
Singh had raised three specific demands at the grievance cell on November 8.
His principal demand was he wanted the administration to hire him as a traditional health worker. His argument was that since his mother was doing the job, he should also be considered for the job. However, the plea was not legal. Besides, he had some other issues related to police harassment and delayed release of Indira Awash Yojana rural housing funds, Swain said.
"It's unfortunate that he attempted self-immolation the very next day. We were provided very little time to look into the grievances put forth by Singh," Swain added.
The administration ordered an inquiry on the November 8 incident on the same day to look into the circumstances that forced Singh to end his life. The local BDO and the police have been asked to furnish a compliance report in this regard. If the probe finds dereliction of duty on the part of administrative officials leading Singh to take the step, disciplinary action will be initiated against the officials concerned, Swain said.
However, the administration has drawn flak for its insensitivity.
"Singh had been running pillar to post for his problems. Prompt administrative intervention could have saved a life," said rights activist Gayadhar Dhal.
A senior citizen Umesh Chandra Singh said: "The weekly grievance cell at the district collectorate is a ritualistic affair. The volume of grievance petitions is increasing every month. But the rate of redress is abysmally low. The officials are insensitive towards public issues."
Niranjan's wife, Ranjita Singh, said: "My husband was forced to take his life because of administrative apathy."