Power Dept to pay Rs 30 lakh to kin of CHB employee

Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) on Sunday agreed to pay Rs 30 lakh to the family of Sanjay Shah, a complaint handling bikes (CHBs) staff at the PSPCL office here, who was electrocuted to death while repairing a high-tension power line in Nichi Mangli village on Thursday. Sanjay had come in contact with a live wire which led to his death.

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As per Sukaran Grewal, XEN, Estate Division, the victim had two wives, one in Bihar and other in Punjab and nine children.

“The corporation has assured Rs 30 lakh as assistance to aggrieved members of the family, including Rs 20 lakh as ex-gratia and 10 lakh insurance. A cheque for Rs 5 lakh has been given to his family members on Sunday while another cheque for a similar amount would be handed over to them on Monday. On Tuesday, another cheque of Rs.10 lakh would be released,” the XEN said.

“His cremation will take place on Monday. An inquiry has been undertaken by the police. Further, the person who operated the generator, which had allegedly backfed the line and resulted in the death of the CHB employee, has been identified. Action would be taken against the suspect,” the XEN said.

“Had the deceased abided by safety protocols, the incident would have been averted. The department provides each and every employee a safety kit, including gum boots and gloves as soon as the person joins the duty. Besides, we keep on warning them again and again to work with the safety kit, otherwise they may have to repent. But many times employees take it casually,” he said.

Meanwhile, outsourced CHB employees, who had stopped work as a mark of protest, demanding compensation and action, rejoined their duty.