Bhubaneswar, July 18 (IANS) The Orissa High Court Wednesday admitted two public interest litigations (PIL) seeking an independent inquiry into the deaths of seven children in a day-care 'anganwadi' centre July 9 in the state's Nayagarh district, a petitioner said.

The division bench of Chief Justice V. Gopal Gauda and Justice S.K. Mishra issued notice to all concerned departments, including the state chief secretary, and directed them to furnish their replies within a week's time.

I had sought an independent inquiry, criminal proceedings against those responsible for the incident, and increase in compensation to Rs.10 lakh from the Rs.1 lakh the government has announced for each of the families of those killed, petitioner Prabir Das told IANS.

The wall of the anganwadi centre collapsed in Suansia village in Nayagarh district, about 90 km from here, July 9. Three children were buried alive while four others died of their injuries in a hospital, sending shock waves across the state.

The state has about 71,000 anganwadi centres and more than half of them do not have their own buildings. At these centres, the government provides early childhood care and pre-school education.