Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo today directed the Bolangir district administration to investigate the baby-selling incident and submit a report on the matter. The Minister, along with administrative officials, visited Sana Gurujibhata village under Patnagarh sub-division in Bolangir and met the family members of the infant.
On being informed about the news, Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo discussed the matter with the district administration and directed the Collector to submit a report on the issue. After discussing with the administration, they visited the village and met the family members.
“We inquired with the woman who gave away her baby. She said that she has six children and is unable to feed them, so she was forced to give away one of her babies. On being informed about the news, I discussed the matter with the district administration and directed the Collector to submit a report on the issue today. After discussing with the administration, we visited the village and met the family members,” Singh Deo said.
During the discussion, the mother of the baby said that she gave away one of her babies to someone because they were unable to maintain their family. When questioned, the woman said that she has six children and is unable to feed them, forcing her to give away one baby.
“I decided to give away one baby because we already have a family of five. We are unable to maintain such a big family due to poverty,” said Arunabati Nag, the mother of the newborn.
The Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM), however, claimed ignorance about the baby being sold. “My duty is to ensure her smooth delivery at the health centre, and I did that before sending her home with the infant. Later, she herself sold away the baby. I have no involvement in it,” said Mamata Bhoi, ANM of Sunamodi Health Centre, Bolangir.
In a similar incident, a poverty-stricken couple allegedly sold their infant for just Rs 20,000, at Nuapada Sahi under Chandili police limits in Rayagada district. The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) launched an investigation into the matter.
