Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik has criticised the Mohan Majhi government in Odisha, holding it responsible for the mango kernel deaths in Kandhamal district.

Alleging that the government had stopped distributing subsidised rice to poor tribal families, Naveen said: “The women were forced to eat mango kernels due to a lack of adequate food in their homes.”

Addressing a workshop at the BJD office on Thursday, Naveen said: “Without any reason, the BJP government has stopped the provision of rice for poor tribals. Therefore, they have been forced to eat mango kernels. For this reason, two tribal women have died and others are undergoing treatment. They have ruined all our efforts to secure food security for our tribals.”

Expressing concern over the death of tribals in Mandipanka village, he said that his government had introduced the state’s own food security scheme for those who were left out under the National Food Security Act.

“During our government’s time, people were getting adequate grains. I hope the state’s own food security scheme, which our government launched, will continue for the betterment of the tribal people. Every life is precious and no compromise should be made on that.”