Two sisters die after consuming anganwadi ration in Odisha

Two young sisters died and two other family members are critically ill after they reportedly ate food from a local anganwadi center in Odisha. The incident happened in Gajapati district on Monday. The deceased sisters are aged 6 and 3, and have been identified as Tulasi and Gunabati Badamundi. The family consumed a take-home ration known as Chhatua, a mixture made from roasted Bengal gram, wheat, groundnut, and sugar. They began vomiting shortly after eating and were rushed to a primary health center. They were later transferred to the Gajapati district headquarters hospital, where the two sisters died. Dr. Brajaraj Kar, who treated the family, stated that the exact cause of their illness will be determined after post-mortem examinations are completed. The sisters' father, Shiva Shankar Badamundi, and their cousin, Sumitra Badamundi, are in serious condition and were moved to a larger hospital in Berhampur. The dry rations are provided to families under nutrition programs aimed at improving health. However, there have been past concerns regarding the quality and safety of these food supplies. Last year, the women and child development department urged local officials to closely monitor the quality of the rations and to take strict action against anyone supplying substandard food.