Bhubaneswar: The family members of a 17-year-old boy from Rupra Road in Narla block of Kalahandi district who had sustained 70 percent burn injuries after coming in contact with a live 33KV non-insulated wire in July last year has sought full treatment cost from the Tata Power Western Odisha Distribution Limited (TPWODL).
Reportedly, the youth Nishant Agrawal was playing with his friends on the terrace of a building on 24.07.2021 when he came in contact with the live wire which was passing over the said building in a very lower height. As a result, he sustained grievous burn injuries all over his body and immediately admitted to Community Health Centre (CHC), Narla.
As the injuries were grievous in nature, he was shifted to Bhilai and admitted at J.L.N. Hospital on 25.07.2021. He was treated there till 26.08.2021 with the total treatment expenses amounting to Rs 18.6 lakh, while the family members said that they have already spent approximately 25 lakh for his treatment.
The family members have alleged that negligence by the TPWODL led to the mishap. Nishant’s uncle Sushil Kumar Agrawal said that the villagers had repeatedly brought to the notice of the SDO, Electrical, Narla regarding removal of the non-insulated electric wire passing over the building but the concerned authority did not pay any heed.
Due to the negligence and poor standard maintenance of the non-insulated electric wire by the Electricity Department such a mishap took place, he added.
Sushil had repeatedly written to the TPWODL officials for urgent need of financial assistance. As they did not heed his request, he knocked the door of the National Human Right Commission (NHRC) in November.
Two months after moving the NHRC, the TPWODL has provided an interim compensation of Rs 2 lakh. While the family has sought full treatment coverage, the TPWODL has said that any deci sion on the matter will be subject to final outcome of the case which is pending before the NHRC.
