NHRC receives compliance report on 'interim relief' to the next of kin of an electrocution victim
Smt. Jairani of Kishunpur Jamuni village in Lakhimpur Khiri district of Uttar Pradesh has received an amount of Rs. 50,000/- as 'interim relief' for the death of her husband Jagrup due to electrocution. This was communicated by the Chief General Manager, Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Ltd. to National Human Rights Commission. Earlier the Nigam had recommended payment of Rs. 20,000/- to the next of kin of the deceased.
The Commission however expressed its distress with the approach taken by the officials of the transmission company. It said that the payment of Rs. 20,000/- for the loss of human life is not only grossly inadequate but even borders on adding insult to injury. The Commission cited the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, wherein an amount of Rs. 50,000/- as compensation had been fixed to the next of kin of the deceased. The Commission said the compensation of Rs. 20,000/- provided under the rules of the transmission company in the event of death by electrocution sounded unrealistic. The Commission said an appropriate revision keeping in view the present day cost of living is called for. It also asked the transmission company to examine the matter with a humane approach overlooking the technicalities and legalities.
Pursuant to the recommendations of the Commission, the Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitharan Nigam Ltd., presented its report to the Commission. The report stated that on reconsideration of the case the Chairman, U.P. Power Corporation Ltd., has directed payment of Rs. 50,000/-as 'interim relief' instead of Rs. 20,000/- earlier recommended. The General Manager informed the Commission that besides the relief amount of Rs. 20,000/- paid earlier, the balance of Rs. 30,000/- had been paid to Smt. Jairani in the month of February this year.
The Commission however expressed its distress with the approach taken by the officials of the transmission company. It said that the payment of Rs. 20,000/- for the loss of human life is not only grossly inadequate but even borders on adding insult to injury. The Commission cited the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, wherein an amount of Rs. 50,000/- as compensation had been fixed to the next of kin of the deceased. The Commission said the compensation of Rs. 20,000/- provided under the rules of the transmission company in the event of death by electrocution sounded unrealistic. The Commission said an appropriate revision keeping in view the present day cost of living is called for. It also asked the transmission company to examine the matter with a humane approach overlooking the technicalities and legalities.
Pursuant to the recommendations of the Commission, the Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitharan Nigam Ltd., presented its report to the Commission. The report stated that on reconsideration of the case the Chairman, U.P. Power Corporation Ltd., has directed payment of Rs. 50,000/-as 'interim relief' instead of Rs. 20,000/- earlier recommended. The General Manager informed the Commission that besides the relief amount of Rs. 20,000/- paid earlier, the balance of Rs. 30,000/- had been paid to Smt. Jairani in the month of February this year.