NHRC demands reports on welfare and infrastructure issues in Odisha

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued directives to authorities in Odisha regarding systemic deprivation in two separate regions.

In Sambalpur district, the commission is investigating reports that tribal families, primarily from the Sabar community, are being excluded from essential government welfare schemes due to Aadhaar documentation barriers. Many residents lack formal birth records because children are born at home, preventing Aadhaar enrollment despite many adults holding voter IDs. The NHRC has requested an Action Taken Report from the Odisha Chief Secretary, the Sambalpur District Magistrate, and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) within four weeks.

In the Gudari region of Rayagada district, the NHRC has sought a report concerning inadequate healthcare and poor road connectivity. Complaints allege that the local community health centre lacks specialist doctors, functioning merely as a referral centre and forcing patients to travel long distances for minor ailments. Additionally, the region suffers from a lack of proper road infrastructure, which has reportedly hampered trade, education, and emergency service access.