Lucknow, Sep 24 (IANS) The wife of a poor farmer of Lakhimpur Kheri district in Uttar Pradesh gave birth to twins earlier this week — even after opting for a tubectomy operation in a government hospital following the birth of their third child last year.

Although the farmer, not willing to be named, says he will make all possible efforts to bring up his five children, the state health department terms this to be a minor issue.

‘I have a very small piece of land and besides growing crops, I do not have any other means of income. The officials have assured me to give Rs.25,000 as compensation for a mistake committed by them,’ the farmer says.

According to the district health department statistics, 10 percent of such permanent contraceptive operations are not a success.

‘Since April 1, 2009, 35 such cases have been reported where a woman has conceived and given birth to children even after tubectomy. However, we have a policy of giving compensation in every such case,’ J.P. Bhargava, chief medical officer of the district, told IANS over phone.

Sources said the district health department had an insurance pact with ICICI Lombard. Bhargava also blamed the farmer for ‘negligence’.

‘We keep informing villagers through various mediums that if a woman conceives after tubectomy, she should be brought to the nearest primary health centre within three months. The department also ensures free medical aid within this period but due to poor awareness among the masses, they do not turn up’, he said.

The farmer will be given the financial aid within 15 days, he added.