Kendrapara: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha government to pay compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased killed in the collapse of an under-construction bridge in Nabarangpur district. The apex rights body also directed the government to pay compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the severely injured persons in the mishap. The under-construction bridge built under Biju Setu Yojana collapsed in Nabarangpur district January 10, 2021 in which one labourer died and 11 other labourers sustained critical injuries.
The NHRC issued the direction last Tuesday and directed the state Chief Secretary to send compliance reports to the Commission within six weeks positively latest by June 2 next. The direction came in the wake of a petition filed by Human Rights defender Akhand who had alleged that an under-construction bridge collapsed January 10, 2021, due to substandard work and lack of safety measures, killing one labourer and injuring eleven others.
The NHRC earlier had called for a report on the matter within four weeks from the Nabarangpur district Magistrate. According to the directions issued by the NHRC, the District Magistrate submitted a report before the Commission stating that the wife of the deceased Mahendra Mali has been provided with Rs 1,36,034 and steps for rehabilitation of the family have been taken by the executive engineer of Rural Works Division, Nabarangpur–II, Umerkote.
The NHRC in the past had issued notice to the government to show cause within six weeks as to why the Commission should not recommend compensation of an amount of Rs 5 lakh to be paid to the next kin of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured persons. The Nabarangpur District Magistrate was also directed to look into the matter personally to ensure that the benefits under various social welfare schemes of the state and Central governments are provided to the families of the deceased and injured persons.
Despite clear direction by the Commission October 17 last year no reply had since been received from the government, the NHRC directed the Government of Odisha through its Chief Secretary to pay Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and compensation of Rs 1 lakh each to the severely injured.
