Goa has witnessed many road accidents and deaths in the last few months. Apart from road accidents, other incidents of electricity department employees or linemen losing their lives while on duty are also on the rise. On Friday, a 38-year-old lineman, Krishna Pawar of Morjim, lost his life while performing his duty at Siolim, North Goa. This is the fifth incident of the electricity department losing the life of staff in Pernem. Many times, it is noted that linemen climb electricity poles without any safety measures. They should use helmets, gloves, shoes, and wooden ladders to repair the lines. However, without any precautions and safety measures, the staff takes the risk of repair work and then loses their life due to shock.
The incidents of such deaths affect the family of the staff as he is the sole breadwinner. The family has small children and elderly parents who depend on the sole earner. Due to such negligence, the entire life of family members gets shattered, and there is no one to support them except for the compensation provided by the government.
It should be compulsory, and an agreement should be undertaken by the staff and family members with the department that if an employee or worker does not follow precautionary measures, the government is not responsible, but the department and staff are solely responsible for such incidents while on duty. Only strict measures will make staff aware of such precautions or the negligence will continue. Compensatory jobs should be given only if it’s accidental and not due to negligence.
The Goa government and electricity department need to implement strict measures for the staff as it is a risky job. The incidents can be reduced or avoided only with such measures, or else the same will continue in the future.
