NHRC recommends monetary relief of Rs 24 lakh in a case of deaths in a cracker factory in Uttar Pradesh
New Delhi, January 08, 2010
The National Human Rights Commission has recommended that the UP Government pay a total of Rs. 24 lakh as monetary relief, with Rs. 3 lakh each to the next of the kin of the eight workers who died in an explosion inside a cracker factory at Saharanpur in the State.
An explosion occurred on the 18th October, 2004 in the cracker factory which was being run in the godown of Om Babu Transport Company, Rakesh Cinema Road in Saharanpur. Eleven workers died in the incident, while two were injured. The matter was brought to the notice of the Commission by Jitender Singh, Convenor, 'Campaign against Child Labour'. He requested for action against the guilty and compensation to the victims.
The Commission took up the matter under the case no. 33497/24/2004-2005, and continued to pursue it with the concerned authorities. Subsequently, the reports received from the authorities were considered in detail and the Commission observed that the District Magistrate as well as the Commissioner appeared to have forgotten to protect the workers life under the relevant provisions of Factories Act, and gave no relief to their families, leaving them at the mercy of the employer.
Accordingly, a show cause notice was served and in response to this the State Government's reply revealed that dependents of only three out of the eleven deceased workmen received a sum of total Rs. 8,62,105/- as compensation in the case from the authorities.
The Commission observed that it is the obligation of the state to protect the life of people, and since the concerned authorities were negligent in protecting the human rights of the workers, the State must pay a suitable monetary relief to the next of kin of the eight other deceased in the explosion.
However, despite three reminders when no response was received from the state authorities, the Commission in its proceedings on the 5th January, 2010 presumed that they have nothing to say in the matter and recommended that the UP Government pay rupees three lakh each to those also who were not paid any monetary relief. The Commission has also sought compliance report along with proof of payment from the Chief Secretary of the State within six weeks after the receipt of its recommendations.
*****
The National Human Rights Commission has recommended that the UP Government pay a total of Rs. 24 lakh as monetary relief, with Rs. 3 lakh each to the next of the kin of the eight workers who died in an explosion inside a cracker factory at Saharanpur in the State.
An explosion occurred on the 18th October, 2004 in the cracker factory which was being run in the godown of Om Babu Transport Company, Rakesh Cinema Road in Saharanpur. Eleven workers died in the incident, while two were injured. The matter was brought to the notice of the Commission by Jitender Singh, Convenor, 'Campaign against Child Labour'. He requested for action against the guilty and compensation to the victims.
The Commission took up the matter under the case no. 33497/24/2004-2005, and continued to pursue it with the concerned authorities. Subsequently, the reports received from the authorities were considered in detail and the Commission observed that the District Magistrate as well as the Commissioner appeared to have forgotten to protect the workers life under the relevant provisions of Factories Act, and gave no relief to their families, leaving them at the mercy of the employer.
Accordingly, a show cause notice was served and in response to this the State Government's reply revealed that dependents of only three out of the eleven deceased workmen received a sum of total Rs. 8,62,105/- as compensation in the case from the authorities.
The Commission observed that it is the obligation of the state to protect the life of people, and since the concerned authorities were negligent in protecting the human rights of the workers, the State must pay a suitable monetary relief to the next of kin of the eight other deceased in the explosion.
However, despite three reminders when no response was received from the state authorities, the Commission in its proceedings on the 5th January, 2010 presumed that they have nothing to say in the matter and recommended that the UP Government pay rupees three lakh each to those also who were not paid any monetary relief. The Commission has also sought compliance report along with proof of payment from the Chief Secretary of the State within six weeks after the receipt of its recommendations.
*****