The denial of a government-run Mahaprayan hearse has forced an impoverished tribal man to carry his young son’s body on a cart to perform the last rites in Keonjhar district on Sunday.

Kalia Naik, who was a rag-picker, died of hepatitis on Sunday. He had been undergoing treatment at the district headquarters hospital. The hospital authorities had referred Naik’s case to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack as he did not respond to the treatment here. But, no ambulance could be provided for shifting the patient to the referral hospital. As a result, Kalia’s father Prafulla Naik shifted him to his house. Kalia’s suffering finally ended with his death.

“The poor family had exhausted all their resources to meet the treatment expenses. Despite repeated pleas, they were not given a Mahaprayan vehicle. Waiting in vain for four hours, the tribal man had to hire a hand-driven cart by paying Rs 200 to carry son’s body. His plight worsened as he had no money to buy fuel wood to cremate body. Later, instead of being cremated, the body was buried at the community crematorium. However, he definitely was entitled to Rs 2,000 under Harischandra scheme of the government for decent last rites of the dead,' said rights activist Suresh Chandra Sahu.

“I have lost my son. I am shattered. It really pains me that I could not perform decent last rites of my son. It will always remain a scar in my life,” said Prafulla when The Telegraph contacted him.

“The government agencies were insensitive. First of all, they did not give me an ambulance for his my son to Cuttack for better treatment. I also did not get the Mahaprayan carrier and the Harishchandra scheme benefits. I think government schemes are there on paper only,” said Prafulla, a native of Kandesipashi village in Patana block.

“The dead should be given dignity. Mahaprayan was launched for that purpose only. But episodes of bodies being carried on carts, trolleys and bicycle make it amply clear that the scheme has failed to take off in Odisha,” said rights activist Biswapriya Kanungo.

Swept away

Two persons met with watery grave while fishing in an irrigation canal at Baniahudi village in Hatadihi block in Keonjhar district on Sunday afternoon. The duo slipped while spreading out the fishing net and were immediately swept away by the strong water current of the canal. Fire brigade personnel recovered their bodies on Monday. The deceased persons have been identified as Sanjay Jena and Saroj Jena, both natives of Baniahudi village