NHRC asks State Govt to pay Rs 5 Lakh ex-gratia

Taking up a petition seeking justice for a 65-year-old farmer of Tarbha block who died due to electrocution, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) directed the Chief Secretary, Odisha to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the kin of the deceased.

Acting on a petition filed by rights activist Dillip Kumar Das and considering a reply submitted by the State authorities, the NHRC passed the order and asked to submit a compliance report along with proof of payment within six weeks positively. Mohan Rana, a native of Charbhata village under Tarbha block in Subarnapur district, was electrocuted when he came in contact with a 11 KV electricity line on December 24, 2020.

He died on the spot due to negligence of officials of electricity distribution company, Wesco. Failure of the officials and the local administration in ensuring the basic human rights of the deceased amounts to serious violation of human rights, the petitioner had alleged. He requested the NHRC to investigate the case and direct the State to take legal action against the errant officials and pay compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family members of the deceased.

Pursuant to the directions issued by the Commission earlier, the Commission received a report dated March 22, 2022 from the Superintendent of Police, Subarnapur as well as from the Special Secretary, Energy Department in May 2022. However, the rights panel was not satisfied with the reports.

Source