Measursr to prevent cleathe due to 8tarrYafIon: Odua (Casu No.37ES197-LO) This case finds mention in the previous annual reports of the Commisslon. The Commission took cognizance of the matter relatlng to alleged rhmtiondeaths in KBK districts of Orissa on a communication receivedfrom the then Union Agriculture Minlster Shri Chaturanan Mishta in November 1996. Later, the Supreme Court of Irdle, In its order dated 26 July 1997, directed petitioners before it, namely the Indian Council of Legal Aid and Advice and others (Writ Petition Civil No.42/97) to approach the National Human Right8 Commission for seeking interim measures for preventing deaths by starvation In the KBK dstrlcts of Orissa. The Commission has been reviewing the implementation of various measures taken by the Government of Orissa. During the course of the year, Shri Cbman Lal, Spcial Rapporteur, had visited the districts of Koraput, Malkangiri, Sonepw, Ralgada, Kalahandi, Naupara and Bolanglr and submitted his observations on the progress of work. The reports submitted by the Special Rapporteur were considered by the Commissbn in sittings held on 27 April 1098, 13 July 19g8, 15 September 1988,3 November 1998 and 28 January 1999. While appreciating the InMatf~estaken by the State Government k r action on varlous aspects of relief work, the Commission observed that the extent and pace of the relief programme ought to have been bstter. It directed the Chief Secretary, Government of Orissa, who was present in one of the hearings, to sensitize the administration at all levels so as to achieve the desired performance level.The Commission asked the State Government to bestow particular attention to the atrengthenlngof the emergency W l n g and midday meal programme through maintaining an adequate stock of food grains and requisite staff. It also called k r a revlew of entitlements under the Public Distribution System and a review of the existing scale of one tube well per 160 person, in order to reduce the dietanca traversed for water from 1% to l4 km. The Commission further emphaslsed the need to maintain existing tube wellrr, the prompt filling-up d vacanclss of doctors and para-medical stnff in the hospitals, and also the paymentldistributlon of penslons on a regular basis under rarlous schemes. The Commission was of the view that the State Government needed to speed up programmes relating to land reforms, afforestation, soll consenration and literacy. The Cornrnissh expressed its concern and disappointment at the lack of progress in regard to soll conservation work in some parts of the KBK districts and emphasized the need to initiate steps on an urgent basis to curb the menace of ghost ration cards. The Commission will continue to monitor this case.