The body of a daily wage-worker in the Narayanpura gram panchayat limits of Belur taluk was lying abandoned for three days in a hospital at Bengaluru as her children refused to receive it until the zilla panchayat cleared her wage dues. Nagarathna (58), who was suffering from cancer, died in a hospital at Bengaluru on December 7.
Ramesh P. Bharasakale, Deputy Director of Women and Child Development, told The Hindu on Tuesday that Nagarathna was working with the gram panchayat as a daily wage-worker. The zilla panchayat had allegedly not paid her wages for six to seven months. “A month ago, her brother brought her to ZP office to enquire about salary. Unsatisfied with the response, her brother left her in the ZP building and returned home. Later, she collapsed on the office premises and admitted to Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences,” he said. As her condition deteriorated, she was taken to Bengaluru, where she died. The issue came for discussion at a meeting of district-level officers held by the State Women Commission chairperson Manjula Manasa here on Tuesday. Family members of Nagarathna alleged that the zilla panchayat had to clear the dues. Ms. Manasa, CEO and other officials convinced the family members to take the body. “We have arranged a vehicle for her family members to travel to Bengaluru, and an ambulance to bring the body,” he said.
