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Bhubaneswar, April 28 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over the shocking incident in which a tribal man exhumed and carried his sister's skeletal remains to a nearby bank in Keonjhar district after being asked by bank officials to produce a death certificate and legal heir certificate to initiate the death claim process.

Asking officials to be more empathetic towards the people, Chief Minister Majhi ordered a probe into the incident by the Northern Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) to ascertain why it occurred and to ensure that such an incident is not repeated in the future.

The Northern RDC is scheduled to begin probe into the incident from Wednesday.

The Chief Minister has asked to submit the probe report at the earliest.

Following Chief Minister Majhi's intervention, the district administration swung into action and gave financial assistance to the tribal man Jitu Munda.

Following a shocking incident, the district administration on Tuesday ordered a detailed inquiry to ascertain whether there was any negligence at any level.

On April 27, Jitu Munda reached the Malliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank carrying the skeletal remains of his sister, Kalara Munda. He had exhumed the body after bank officials asked him to produce a death certificate as well as legal heir documents to initiate the death claim process and withdraw the deposit from his deceased sister's account.

The incident sparked massive nationwide outrage on social media, with people as well as opposition parties targeting the bank and the state government and demanding reforms in rural banking practices.

According to a press statement issued by the district administration, in line with the Chief Minister's 'Lok Seva' approach, a financial assistance of Rs 30,000 was provided to Jitu Munda from the District Red Cross Fund without delay.

"Considering the helplessness of the family, the administration has assisted Jitu Munda in applying for the Death Certificate and Legal Heir Certificate. By Implementing the process in 'Fast Track' mode, the Medical Officer has also provided the Death Certificate," the district administration added.

It also said that the administration ensured the payment of Rs 19,300 deposited in Kalara Munda's bank account reached Jitu Munda without any hindrance.

The Tahsildar personally coordinated with bank authorities and handed over a total amount of Rs 19,402, including interest, to him on Tuesday.

"Although this incident occurred due to lack of banking awareness, the district administration is firmly committed to ensuring that no innocent person faces such a situation in the future. Instructions have been issued to local administrative officers to be more sensitive in order to easily provide government and banking facilities to people in remote areas. A detailed inquiry is being conducted to determine whether there was any negligence at any level of the administration in this incident," the district administration said.

--IANS

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