Rupees 24 lakh monetary relief in a case of deaths in a cracker factory in Uttar Pradesh
(Case no. 33497/24/2004-2005)
Eleven workers died and two were injured in an explosion in a cracker factory in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh on the 18th October, 2004. The factory was being run in the godown of Om Babu Transport Company, Rakesh Cinema Road in the city. 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 and continued to pursue it with the concerned authorities. Subsequently, the reports received from the authorities were considered in detail. 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. In response to this, the State Government's reply revealed that dependents of only three out of the eleven deceased workmen in the case, received a sum of total Rs. 8,62,105/- as compensation 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 also.
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 a total of Rs. 24 lakh rupees with Rs. 3 lakh each to those 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.
The Commission took up the matter and continued to pursue it with the concerned authorities. Subsequently, the reports received from the authorities were considered in detail. 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. In response to this, the State Government's reply revealed that dependents of only three out of the eleven deceased workmen in the case, received a sum of total Rs. 8,62,105/- as compensation 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 also.
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 a total of Rs. 24 lakh rupees with Rs. 3 lakh each to those 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.