The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a show-cause notice to the Chief Secretary asking it as to why compensation shall not be paid in the case of electrocution deaths of two persons and injury at Khaira in Baleswar district.
In response to a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer and rights campaigner Radhakanta Tripathy and subsequent report submitted by the Energy Department officials and the rejoinder of the petitioner, the NHRC sought response from the Chief Secretary at the earliest.
The petition said on November 6, 2013 two persons namely Daitari Jena and Bhagirathi Behera had died and another was injured while repairing a tubewell at Barajodi village under Khaira block in Baleswar due to negligence of the Energy Department.
The tubewell was below an 11-KV line which was only 5 to 7 feet above the surface. The
11 KV line should be at a
height of 20 feet.
The NHRC, in its latest order, observed, “The negligent conduct of the officials of the departments concerned is a clear case of violation of the human rights of the victims. Therefore, the Chief Secretary is directed to showcause as to why a compensation of Rs 1 lakh each should not be recommended to be paid to the next of the kin of the deceased and a compensation of Rs 25,000 to the injured victim.”
A complaint for repairing of a defunct tubewell was lodged before the block authorities. Accordingly, the local Junior Engineer sent four staffers, Daitari Jena, Bhagirathi Behera and two others for repair.
The petitioner argued that “There was no responsible officer present to supervise the work. The pipe along with iron rod touched the 11-KV line and both Jena and Behera got electrocuted leaving another injured,” the petitioner said.