Odisha govt directed to pay compensation for a drowned student

The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has directed the state government to pay an ex-gratia of Rs four lakh to the parents of a student who drowned in the sea about two years ago.
The commission yesterday also directed the Special Relief Commissioner under the revenue and disaster management department to make payment of the ex-gratia amount within two months.
The commission said that the copy of the order would be sent to the principal secretary to the state government and special relief commissioner, revenue and disaster management department (Special Relief), Bhubaneswar and others for its compliance.
The petitioner Sudhir Chandra Dalei had alleged that though many persons were taking sea bath on the occasion of the last Monday of the month of Kartika, but the district administration had not made the public aware of the dangers of sea bath and no police, life guard and fire brigade personnel were deployed to meet any eventuality.

The deceased Sai Jaga Dalei, a student, had gone to Baba Bateswar Pitha along with his family members and relatives for a picnic. While the family members and relatives were engaged in preparing food, Sai Jaga Dalei had gone to the sea side on sight and while taking bath drowned, police said.
It has been brought to the notice of the Commission that the Odisha government in the Revenue and Disaster Management Department (Special Relief) by its order on June 1, 2015 has made provision for extension of financial assistance of Rs four lakh to the next of kin of the deceased person in case of drowning other than during floods.