SRINAGAR: Noting that the present compensation policy for electrocution was adhoc as well as inadequate, it was decided today that the Power Development Department with the prior concurrence of the Finance Department will submit a proposal to the SAC for enhancement of the same.
An official communiqué issued here today said that on the directions of Governor N.N. Vohra, a meeting was convened under the Chairmanship of Principal Secretary, Finance Department, Navin Kumar Choudhary to discuss the compensation issues in case of accidental death due to electrocution while repairing the electric lines.
Mostly the casual labourers of the Power Development Department have lost their lives in the process.
H.K. Singh Commissioner, Power Development Department, and senior officers of the Finance and Power Development Department participated in the meeting.
It was informed that on an average 15–20 persons lose their lives every year while dealing with the live electric lines at the time of repairs or other works. Most of them are casual labourers and their families are not covered under SRO–43 benefits. Some time back, Management Committee of the PDC had decided to fix a compensation of Rs. 3 lakh in such cases.
“The issue was discussed threadbare and it was felt that the present compensation policy is adhoc as well as inadequate. Accordingly, it was decided that the Power Development Department with the prior concurrence of the Finance Department will submit a proposal to the SAC for enhancement of compensation in such cases,” said the communique.
The Committee also decided that the cases of permanent disability as a result of electrocution also deserve suitable compensation which as a matter of principal should be half of the amount as in the case of death to be decided by the SAC.
In order to create a fund from where such compensation could be paid will be created with sizeable seed money to be provided by the Finance Department. Further, PDD may levy suitable surcharge to be deposited in the fund on the power bills above the certain threshold.
Commissioner, PDD informed that he will accordingly bring a draft cabinet note within a period of week’s time for consideration of the SAC.
