Shahjahanpur,
3 April (HS): An investigation on the death of an anganwadi worker in UP's
Shahjahanpur, purportedly owing to SIR-related work, has begun, authorities
said on Friday.
City
Magistrate Pravendra Kumar ordered an inquiry after a video appeared on social
media showing the deceased woman's daughter stating that harassment by
officials and job pressure caused her extreme stress and sickness.
According
to official reports, the deceased, Preeti Shankhwar (42), was a city resident
who worked as an anganwadi worker and was assigned duties connected to Special
Intensive Revision (SIR). She died on Wednesday, while being transported to
Lucknow for treatment.
In a
widely circulated video, her daughter, shown sitting next her mother's body in
an ambulance, claimed that her mother was under excessive strain despite
working a low-wage job.
She said
that, in addition to SIR duty, her mother was required to complete departmental
work and was scolded by the district programme officer when she addressed him. The
daughter also claimed that the statements made by officials created
considerable stress in her mother, resulting in sickness and, finally, death
during treatment. She accused the government of making her mother's life
miserable. City Magistrate Pravendra Kumar stated that an investigation into
the case is underway. Based on early information, he stated that the
SIR-related burden had greatly decreased and that no payments for the deceased
were outstanding. He said that the woman had been ill and was being treated at
a private hospital before being hospitalized to the district hospital, from
where she was sent to Lucknow.
District
Programme Officer Arvind Rastogi refuted the claims of harassment and
misbehavior, calling them unfounded. He further stated that there were no
outstanding dues for the dead and that SIR-related activity had been
significantly decreased approximately a fortnight ago. Officials added that
further inquiry is underway.
Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi
