Bhubaneswar: Leader of opposition Naveen Patnaik on Saturday wrote to Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, seeking accountability for what he termed a “shocking lapse” after a tribal man was allegedly forced to bring his sister’s skeletal remains to a bank to prove her death and access her deposits. BJP countered him questioning his contributions in 24 years as CM.Expressing anguish over the April 27 incident at the Malliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank in Keonjhar, Naveen said Jitu Munda had to exhume his sister’s remains and carry them to the branch after repeated visits failed to yield any assistance or clarity from officials.Terming the episode inhuman, the former CM wrote, “What is more shocking is the bank’s attempt to justify this conduct by citing adherence to RBI guidelines. This reflects a disturbing tendency to hide behind procedures while abandoning the very people they are meant to serve. In a democracy, rules are meant to empower citizens, not humiliate them.”While describing the incident as isolated, Naveen said it exposed the need for a more humane banking system in remote tribal areas. “I urge you to ensure that clear accountability is immediately fixed for this lapse. This will send a strong message to all rural banks to ensure citizen-centric service delivery with empathy and compassion,” he said.A day after the incident, Indian Overseas Bank, which sponsors the regional rural bank, claimed Munda had visited the branch for the first time in an inebriated state, behaved disruptively and later returned with human remains. The bank attributed the episode to his lack of awareness about claim procedures and unwillingness to follow them.However, preliminary findings of an administrative inquiry by revenue divisional commissioner (northern range) Sangram Keshari Mohapatra indicated that bank officials were familiar with Munda and his sister, who had visited the branch earlier to withdraw small amounts. The report flagged negligence on the part of bank staff.Responding to Naveen’s letter, law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said the former CM should “introspect” his contrition during his 24-year tenure handing over a legacy where such things occur. “Naveen babu was CM when tribal Dana Majhi carried his wife’s body on his shoulders. The state was directly responsable then. Who wrote a letter to whom then,” Harichandan asked. “There were many such incidents during his time which he has not analyzed. He is known for writing letters, a habit has not been able to quit,” the law minister said.
