NHRC seeks report from UP govt on arsenic deaths

National Human Rights Commission today sought a report from UP government on allegations of large number of deaths in villages of Ballia district due to consumption of arsenic contaminated groundwater.
According to an NHRC statement, the rights panel issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh, asking it to submit a report within four weeks on hundreds of deaths due to arsenic poisoning in the villages of Ballia district.
The panel also asked its Director General (Investigation) to depute a team to conduct an on-the-spot enquiry into the matter and submit a report within four weeks, it said.
The Commission's directions came following a complaint from NGO 'Inner Voice Foundation of Ballia'.

"Allegedly, the mitigation measures installed by the concerned agencies have failed to serve the purpose. A report was also submitted by the National Level Monitors, Ministry of Rural Development, to the government 20 months ago on the issue, but no action has been taken," it said.
The NGO had also forwarded a detailed 'Investigation and Assessment Report' on the basis of its works in the area over a period of eight years, the statement said.