'Over Rs 33 lakh paid in relief by UP govt to victims of power

Uttar Pradesh government has paid Rs 33.4 lakh in monetary relief to various families whose members were either electrocuted or suffered injuries during a 2012 accident in which a bus came into contact with a low-lying high-tension electric wire.
It included Rs 28 lakh to the next of kin of 14 persons who were electrocuted and Rs 5.40 lakh to those who suffered injuries, the National Human Rights Commission said, asserting the ex-gratia offered earlier was "grossly inadequate".
The incident happened when the bus, in which the victims were travelling came into contact with a low-lying high tension line while parking at the Amauli Road Bus Stand in Jahanabad area of Fatehpur district on October 23 in 2012.

Initially in response to the notices of the Commission, the UP government, through the deputy general manager of UP Power Corporation Limited, had maintained that the line was drawn in accordance with the prescribed standards, NHRC said in a statement.
Not satisfied with this response, the Commission called for an enquiry by the chief electrical inspector.
"Subsequently, the Director of Electrical Security, UP government, in his enquiry report, revealed that the height of the overhead transmission line was less than the standard height prescribed under the rules, i.E., 5.8 m.

"It was also found that the overhead transmission line was not properly guarded as is required by Rule 29 (1) of the Indian Electricity Rules," the statement said.

The Inquiry Officer held the area junior engineer responsible for the incident and concluded that 14 persons had died and 27 sustained injuries and all were entitled to compensation.
It was also reported that Rs one lakh each was being paid to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 20,000 each to the injured.
"The Commission observed that Rs 1 lakh was grossly inadequate for the loss of human life and issued a show cause notice to the Chief Secretary, on December 29, 2014 seeking to know why an additional amount of relief to the next of kin of the 14 deceased should not be paid," the statement said.

However, having received no response to this show cause notice and even a reminder to it during the interim period, the Commission, on September 9, 2015, issued summons to the Chief Secretary to appear before it on January 18, 2016 and submit the compliance report along with the proof of payment explaining the delay with the condition.
Pursuant to this, the Chief Secretary vide his communication dated January 6, 2016 submitted the requisite reports along with the proof of payment.