PANAJI
In all, five linesmen or line helpers lost lives by electrocution in 2023 so far “ highest in any year “ in the last half a decade. Though all the incidents were due to the alleged negligence of the Electricity Department that prompted the Minister to order a high level inquiry, action has been initiated in only one case, so far.
On Wednesday, the government suspended the Assistant Lineman in connection with the death of line helper Krishna Pawar, attached to Mapusa division, who died due to electrocution on November 23 while on duty. In the same case, an inquiry is underway against the Assistant Engineer of the department.
According to the information available from the department, since 2018, as many as 14 line helpers died while on duty. The maximum number of deaths are reported in the current year - from March to November 2023. Before that it was in 2020, when four linesmen lost lives while on duty.
While no deaths were reported in the year 2021, the year 2022 saw three deaths of line helpers due to electrocution. One case each was recorded in 2018 and 2019.
According to the sources, all these cases are result of negligence on part of the department as well as the lineman. “The assistant lineman or assistant engineer from the concerned division always fails to ensure whether lineman opt for safety measures like wearing a kit. Also, whether the power supply to the concerned pole is disconnected or not before the line helper is made to work,” sources said.
Following the recent incident at Siolim, Power Minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar ordered a high-powered committee to investigate all such deaths and fix accountability. He said that negligence on part of the department cannot be ignored.
“In the Krishna Pawar matter we have already taken action. Inquiry is underway in the four other cases that happened this year. We will see that appropriate action is taken against responsible persons,” Dhavalikar told The Goan adding ‘these incidents are taking place despite we providing safety kits to our line helpers’.
Of the five cases reported this year, the government has paid compensation of Rs 20 lakh and departmental ex-gratia amount of Rs 7 lakh in the three cases. Also, in these three, none of the family members of the deceased is absorbed in the government service.
The data shows that of the past nine cases, along with the compensation, the family members of the five line helpers have managed to get government jobs.
