NHRC orders UP Govt to compensate boy electrocuted by transformer

NEW DELHI, AUG 3: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to pay a compensation of Rs 1,25,...

NEW DELHI, AUG 3: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to pay a compensation of Rs 1,25,000 to an eight-year-old boy who lost both his arms after receiving an electric shock from a transformer kept in a public place without adequate safeguard.

NHRC sources said today that a three-member bench of the commission headed by chairperson Justice M N Venkatachaliah held that since the state government had already paid a sum of Rs 25,000 to the victim, it should deposit the remaining amount in his name for a term deposit in a nationalised bank within six weeks.

The monthly interest accruing on the deposit should be payable to the mother of the boy for his upkeep and maintenance till he attains majority, it directed.

The NHRC also recommended that the state government should initiate disciplinary action against the officers of the Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Board (UPSEB) found responsible for installing the transformer in such a “hazardous” manner and alsothose who were expected to exercise control and supervision over its installation and maintenance.

The state government should also examine the adequacy of the existing guidelines or instructions for the installation and maintenance of transformers of such high load and to bring about necessary changes so as to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future, the NHRC suggested.