Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha Chief Secretary to pay Rs 2 lakh in compensation to the family of a child who was electrocuted in Rayagada district.
The state government has to respond to the directive by February 26.
The NHRC came up with the order while hearing a petition filed by activist-lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy.
According to the petitioner, four-year-old Pabitra Bidika was killed after he came in contact with a live electric wire while playing near his home at Sikabadi in Kolnara police station area on July 31, 2018.
But neither action was taken against the errant officials of the power utility company nor any compensation was paid to the victim’s family, the petitioner added.
In its ruling, the NHRC maintained that Southco officials were negligent in their duties, The Pioneer reported.
“The fateful incident could have been avoided and a precious life could have been saved. The conduct of erring officials, thus, resulted in violation of human rights of the victim. The State is liable to pay monetary compensation to the next of the kin of the deceased,” the commission said.
Also Read: Mishap In Odisha’s Rayagada: Woman, Granddaughter Killed By Electrocution
