Taking a serious note of negligence by the Southern Electricity Supply Company of Odisha limited (Southco) and the State Government, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has ordered for compensation of Rs 3 lakh in a case of electrocution death in Puri district.
Acting on a complaint filed by a rights activist Akhand, the NHRC has asked the company to pay the compensation to the next of kin of the deceased within four weeks.
In November 2012, Sanjulata Tarai (30) of Janhikuda of Krushnaprasad block in Puri district was electrocuted on spot when a 11-KV live wire fell on her while she was going to a temple.
The incident was due to negligence of the power distribution company, which does not care for maintenance of weak wires. But no action was taken against guilty officials and no compensation was given, said Akhand in his petition.
The Southco, however, argued that it should not be held liable for the accident since the operation and maintenance of the area, where the incident took place, has been franchised to Enzen Global Solutions Private ltd which is responsible for the incident and should pay compensation, if any.
The NHRC did not agree with the Southco’s view. It is now a well-settled law that the supplier of electricity is liable for such damage, the commission held, adding that it is for the supplier to consider whether or not and / or how to recover such compensation amount from the franchisee. The commission, accordingly, directed that a notice be issued to the Southco Chairman, Brahmapur. The NHRC directed that a compliance report along with proof of payment of the compensation be submitted within four weeks.