PK Impact: KPDCL forms panel to scrutinize accident cases of daily wagers for ex-gratia, compensation

SE directed to submit case files of daily wage workers with 7 yrs service

By: Ahmad Shabir

Srinagar: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has constituted a committee for scrutinizing electric accident cases for Ex-gratia relief.

The decision comes days after this newspaper carried a story on the plight of families of daily wage employees of Power Development Department (PDD) in the absence of any provision with the government for their compensation or jobs.

Precious Kashmir in the report had quoted the officials as saying that 62 daily wage laborers have died of electrocution in the last five years while as 84 others suffered disabilities while repairing electric lines during the same period.

Following the report by this newspaper, Managing Director, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has ordered the constitution of committee for scrutinizing electric accident cases for Ex-gratia relief.

“In order to make prompt disposal of electric accident cases of KPDCL, a committee of following officers is hereby constituted under the chairmanship of chief engineer distribution KPDCL, who shall scrutinize the electric accidental cases of eligible persons properly for sanction of Ex-gratia relief under norms/rules in vogue,” an order issued by the MD, KPDCL read.

The committee is headed by Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL while three other members include Superintending Engineer O and M circle 1st, Chief Accounts Officer (Distribution) and Administrative Officer (Distribution).

The committee as per the order shall convene the meetings every month and furnish the recommendations for sanction of Ex-gratia in favor of NOKs of the deceased and disabled victims etc, so that the electric accident cases along with recommendations of the constituted committee shall be submitted to the concerned quarters for sanction of Ex-gratia relief under rules in vogue.

In the separate letter issued by the Chief Engineer, (Distribution), the Superintending Engineer, O and M Circle, has been asked to submit the case files of daily wage workers who have completed seven years of service in the department fulfilling all eligibility criteria to higher ups for further considerations in terms of SRO-381 of 1981.

The two separate letters, official sources said, have raised the hopes of the poor daily wage linemen about security of their future.

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