Over 20 families in Odisha's Ganjam district were not given ration supply after a panchayat body decided to stop the benefits from reaching people who were found defecating in open.

The monthly ration items under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and State Food Security Act (SFSA) were distributed at Goutami Panchayat under Sankhemundi block in the district on October 27-28.

The sarpanch of Goutami Panchayat in Sanakhemundu Block in Ganjam district claimed the decision was taken to motivate people to develop good habits and healthy lifestyle and encourage villagers to build toilet. He also claim this was implemented after discussions with panchayat committee members and has support of different SHG (Self Help Group) women.



Goutami panchayat has around 2,000 households with population of 4,563. Of these nearly 200 families do not have toilets in their houses and were defecating in the open.



The ration under beneficiary of National Food Security Act (NFSA) and State Food Security Act were blocked for those families who defecated in the open.



However, Ganjam district collector Vijay Amruta Kunage said, "The benefits under NFSA) and SFSA to any person should not be curtailed."



Earlier Ganjam district had a dubious distinction in open defecation and villagers used to defecate in the open on the sides of roads and highways. However, this has reduced to a large extent now.



Sweta Sadangi, Goutami villager, said, "We around 300 women from a self-help group (SHG) have volunteered to go on rounds and keep a check on open defecation."



Sushant Swain, sarpanch of Goutami panchayat in Sanakhemundi block, said, "The decision was taken at a panchayat meeting on October 20, the distribution of ration under the public distribution system (PDS) was stopped to over 20 families in last 11 days. If anyone is found defecating in the open, particularly on the roadside, the panchayat body will instruct the dealer concerned to stop giving ration to such people for a month."

(With inputs from Mrutyunjay Sahu)