A resident of Odisha’s Kalahandi, Dana Majhi, walked 10 km carrying his wife’s body from Bhawanipatna on Wednesday because he was not given a vehicle from the district hospital, reported PTI. The news came to light when Majhi and his 12-year-old daughter met the crew of a local television channel who then arranged for an ambulance for the remaining 50 km of his journey to Melghara village.

Majhi had told the TV channel crew that the district hospital authorities refused to help him take the body of Amang Dei, who died of tuberculosis, to their house. According to PTI, Odisha has an existing scheme under which government hospitals are supposed to transport the bodies to their homes free of cost. The Biju Janata Dal-headed government had launched the Mahaparayana scheme in February and a fleet of 40 ambulances was allotted for it.

Kalahandi District Collector Brunda D, whom the crew of the TV channel had called for help, said he spoke with the concerned authorities and arranged for an ambulance immediately. The deputy collector added that he gave instructions that the family be provided help under the Harishchandra Yojana to perform Dei's last rites.