Over 400 people electrocuted every year; compensation raised to ₹5L

BENGALURU: The Siddaramaiah government has revised compensation rules pertaining to electrocution deaths — while the family members of a deceased person will get Rs 5 lakh, the

maximum compensation to be paid

for animal deaths has been increased to Rs 50,000.

The move, which comes in the run-up to assembly polls, aims at improving the Congress’ image among the rural population. On an average, 430 humans and 460 animals die of electrocution across the state every year — a majority of the cases are reported from rural areas, show statistics. Most electricity-related accidents are caused due to sagging power cables, snapped electric wires, illegal drawing of power supply from main lines, callous attitude of people in areas with high-tension power lines, repairing of pumpsets without seeking professional assistance and illegal electric fencing in fields.

Currently, the compensation amount is Rs two lakh for people above 69 years of age and Rs two lakh plus Rs 3,000 per year for those aged below 69 (for example, if the victim is 68, the family will get Rs 2 lakh plus Rs 3,000, and if one is 67, the amount will be Rs 2 lakh plus Rs 6,000 and so on). While Rs 5,000 is paid for an electrocuted cow or buffalo, Rs 1,000 is paid per sheep or goat. “The most common complaint against the government regarding electrocution deaths is that the compensation paid to the victim’s family is very low,” a senior official in the energy department told TOI.

It was in this backdrop that the energy department issued an order on November 9, revising the compensation package. Unlike the previous order that was mute about injuries caused to humans by electrocution, the latest order prescribes compensation of up to Rs 5 lakh in case of permanent total disability, Rs 1-5 lakh in case of permanent partial disability, Rs 1 lakh in case of serious injury, Rs 20,000 for minor injuries, Rs 50,000-1 lakh for temporary total disability and Rs 25,000-50,000 for temporary partial disability. This apart, the government will also bear the hospitalization charges for humans in case of casualties.

‘Relief for the poor’

Politicians cutting across party lines have appreciated the move. JD(S) legislators K M Shivalinge Gowda (Arsikere) and Ramesh Babu Bandi Siddegowda (Srirangapatna) said the increase in compensation comes as a respite for the poor who have lost their dear ones following electrocution. “Most power-related accidents happen when people come in contact with damaged or snapped cables. The same applies to cattle, which is the backbone of the agri-economy. A decent compensation package will help mitigate financial losses.”

BJP MLA D N Jeevaraj (Sringeri) had a word of caution. “Increasing compensation alone is not sufficient, the assessment and payment process should be streamlined too,” he said, while recounting a recent incident in Balehonnur where a woman was electrocuted because of faulty earthing. “The power department officials maintained they cannot pay compensation as the streetlight came under the jurisdiction of the local gram panchayat. Blame games should not be allowed.”

BJP MLA C N

Ashwath Narayan

(Malleswaram) said: “Electrocution cases are also reported in Bengaluru, and increasing the amount is a good move.”