Rs 1cr fine on Odisha electricity board over elephant electrocution

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday took suo-motu cognisance of media reports on the death of seven elephants from electrocution in Dhenkanal and imposed a fine of Rs 1 crore on Odisha electricity board for negligence.

The NGT has also constituted a three-member committee for investigation in the matter.

On Saturday, the Forest Department in a press statement said, "In the instant case, the Divisional Forest Officer, Dhenkanal had informed to EE, Central Electricity Supply Utility to rectify the sagging transmission line from Kamalanga to Kaliataila of Meramundali Section of Dhenkanal Range. The Divisional Forest Officer, Dhenkanal had also submitted the proposal for cabling of transmission line in Kamalanga area. Due to non-rectification of sagging lines and non-cabling of transmission lines, the accident has occurred claiming the lives of seven elephants in Meramundali section of Dhenkanal Range of Dhenkanal Division."

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday ordered a crime branch inquiry into the incident. Apart from this, the state government suspended six officials and sacked a junior engineer of the Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU) while the forest department suspended three of its field staff including Dhenkanal Range Officer.