Date:26/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/26/stories/2005012613300300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

EB directed to pay damages for rickshaw puller's death

By K.T. Sangameswaran

CHENNAI, JAN. 25. The State Human Rights Commission has directed the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) to pay Rs.75,000 as compensation to the family of a cycle rickshaw puller who died of electrocution.

Of the total amount, Rs.25,000 should be deposited in a nationalised bank in the names of each of the victim's two daughters till they turned 18. The accrued interest on the deposit should be paid to their mother till then. The remaining Rs.25,000 should be paid to woman as damages. The Commission Member, S. Sambandham, said the TNEB should comply with the order within a month.

Kalithai of Netaji Nagar, R.K. Nagar, complained to the Commission that her husband Pichaipandi, who was a rickshaw puller, was electrocuted on Balakrishna Street, New Washermanpet, on May 5 last year when he was on his way to a workshop carrying iron material. She submitted that she and her two unmarried daughters, Mallika (16) and Rajathi (13), were dependent on Pichaipandi's income for survival.

In his order, Mr. Sambandham said the Chennai Corporation admitted in its counter that there was an accident due to electrical leakage from the underground cable. The TNEB also admitted that the cycle rickshaw puller died due to electrocution.