CESU to pay ex-gratia for staff casualty during FANI restoration

Bhubaneswar: In the wake of casualty during Cyclone FANI restoration work, the Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU) of Odisha decided to pay ex-gratia to its employees.

“It has been decided to grant the compensation in form of ex-gratia to the employees of CESU and contractors (within State and outside State) who face unfortunate minor and major accidents while carrying out FANI restoration work,” said the CESU in an office order here today.

As per the move, the regular employees will get total amount of Rs 10 lakh as ex-gratia (Rs 5 lakh from CESU and Rs 5 lakh from Chief Minister’s Relief Fund) for death or total disability. For employees of the contractors within State and outside State, the ex-gratia amount will also be Rs 10 lakh.

However, CESU will not bear the medical expenses in case of the non fatal accident cases.

The power distribution firm made it clear that the ex-gratia payment is only applicable during FANI restoration work as a special case and the amount will not be quoted as precedent in future.

In addition to the ex-gratia amount, other dues will be paid as per the provisions of law and policy of the respective utilities.

The move came after three electricians were electrocuted while carrying out restoration work in the aftermath of Cyclone FANI in coastal Odisha districts.