NHRC issues notices to CS, DGP, Raj & Chairman of JDA over death of workers in sewerage well

New Delhi, Nov 22 (Agency) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police of Rajasthan as well as the Chairman of Jaipur Development Authority(JDA), calling for a report in death of workers within four weeks.The Chief Secretary is directed to intimate whether the advisory issued by the Commission is being implemented in the State of Rajasthan. The DGP is expected to inform about the present status of the FIR registered in the matter and action taken against the responsible officers/ agencies, NHRC in a statement stated.The Commission would also like to know the health status of the third victim, who is reportedly under medical treatment in a hospital.

The Chairman of Jaipur Development Authority has been asked to submit a report about the initiation of disciplinary action against errant public servant(s) under relevant service rules, due to whose culpable negligence two human lives were lost for not having been provided with the safety equipment, it added.According to the media report, there was a complaint of leakage of sewage and the victims, who are cousins, were allegedly deputed to attend the work without providing any safety equipment to them. The well is reportedly 25 feet deep in which the victims had entered to undertake the work and when they were trying to tighten the valve of the mainline, it broke, resulting in the sudden flow of the sewage garbage which flooded the well and both the victims came under it, it added.

The Commission took suo motu cognizance of a media report that in Rajasthan two labourers died while conducting the repair work of a leaking valve in the 25 feet deep well of a sewerage treatment plant of Jaipur Development Authority in Kalwar area on November 18. Reportedly, one of their associates was pulled out safely by a police officer after jumping inside the well. He is being provided medical treatment at a hospital, it stated.The Commission expressed serious concern that despite it constantly insisting the authorities to get such hazardous work done with the help of machines, it is being done manually without protective gear resulting in the loss of life almost on a daily basis in different parts of the country.