NHRC notice to the Government of Haryana over reported death of four persons while cleaning the pump in the storm water disposal tank in Rohtak (27.06.2019)

New Delhi, 27th June, 2019

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that four workers died while cleaning the pump in a storm water disposal tank near meat market on Kacha Beri road, in Rohtak, Haryana on the 26th June, 2019. An FIR has been registered against Public Health Engineering (PHE) on the complaint of the brother of the victims that they were not provided the safety devices.

The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Haryana and the Deputy Commissioner, Rohtak, Haryana calling for a detailed report in the matter including status of investigation of FIR registered in the matter, the status of payment of compensation to the next of kin of the deceased workers and steps taken for their rehabilitation.

The Commission has observed that the media reports, if true, raise the serious issue of violation of right to health and right to life of the four cleaners, It is a matter of concern that despite directions of the Supreme Court of India and institution like the National Human Rights Commission, innocent lives are being lost because of the inaction/negligence of the authorities who compel the workers to enter the dangerous water tank/septic tank, without safety devices.

Moreover, the Apex Court in its decision in Safai Karamchari Andolan & others Vs UOI & others has categorically observed that entering sewer lines without safety gears should be made a crime even in emergency situations and compensation of Rs. 10 lakh should be given to the family of the deceased. The Apex Court further issued directions for their rehabilitation. The state instrumentalities are under constitutional obligation to ensure the safety of persons, who are asked to undertake hazardous jobs.

According to the Media reports, carried today on the 27th June, 2019, the officers of Public Health Engineering have been booked u/s 304 of the IPC Sections 7, 9 and 22 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavenger and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 and Section 3 of the SC and the ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Reportedly, the PHE officials were conveyed about the apprehension of emission of poisonous gas in the pipe. The victims had also demanded safety devices. However, the same was not was not provided to them. The family members have demanded compensation, government job or family pension to the dependents.

*****