Cuttack: Taking up a petition alleging negligence of Western Electricity Supply Company of Orissa Ltd (Wesco) resulting in electrocution death of a boy at Limpada in Bolangir district, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued show-cause notices to the state government and the discom.
The apex rights body has directed the state government and Wesco authorities to show cause as to why compensation of `5 lakh will not be given to the kin of the deceased, Biswabasu Rana. The rights panel has set a four-week deadline for submission of the report.
The NHRC’s direction came in response to a petition filed by rights activist Subash Chandra Mohapatra over the death of the boy. Mohapatra in his petition had appealed to the commission to direct the state government to pay adequate compensation to the deceased’s family and take action against the officials responsible for the mishap.
According to the petition, the minor boy had climbed a tree to collect firewood March 13, 2013 when he came in contact with an 11kv live wire passing over the tree. He fell off the tree following the electric shock and was rushed to a hospital in Bolangir where he died.
The incident had triggered massive uproar in the locality. The locals alleged that although they had requested the discom authorities to scale up the height of the electric cable, the authorities did not pay any heed to their request leading to the mishap.
There is gross violation of human rights in the case, the petitioner said, adding, his family members are entitled to the compensation.
Taking up the petition the NHRC had earlier directed the discom executive engineer to file a detailed report in this regard. In pursuance to the order, the official had filed the report and admitted departmental negligence.
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