Odisha man dies after falling into open drain; NHRC directs to pay compensation

Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Odisha government to provide Rs 7 lakh as compensation to the next of kin of a Dalit rickshaw puller who died after falling into an open drain near Market Square in Puri on May 18, 2022.

The NHRC gave its recommendation for compensation to the victim’s family while disposing of a petition filed by one Jayanta Kumar Das.

The rights body has asked Odisha Chief Secretary to submit a compliance report along with the proofs of payment of monetary compensation to the victim’s family within eight weeks.

There were reports that an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh has been sanctioned to the victim’s family. If it is true, then the state government is free to deduct Rs 4 lakh from the compensation amount and provide the balance money to the next of kin of the Dalit rickshaw puller, said the NHRC in its recommendation.

According to the petitioner, Nidhi Bhoi (41), a Dalit rickshaw puller, died after falling into the open drain on the Grand Road near Market Square in Puri city on May 18 last year. It was found that the slab of the said drain was removed due to the careless attitude of the local administration. After going through the reports submitted by the concerned authorities, the NHRC was convinced that Bhoi died due to the negligence of the officials of Puri Municipality.

The NHRC had served a notice on the state government and asked it to explain as to why the rights body should not recommend payment of Rs 7 lakh as monetary compensation to the victim’s family.

After going through the reply of the Housing and Urban Development department on the issue, the rights body made it clear that the said drain was left open due to the negligence of the officials of the Puri civic body.