NHRC asks MP Govt. to pay three lakh each as relief to the families of ten deceased labourers

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recommended interim relief of three lakh rupees each to the next of kin of ten labourers who died after an under construction rice mill collapsed while they were working.

The incident had happened on the February 4, 2013 in Village Bhundha, District Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.

The Commission has held that the financial assistance of one lakh rupees each to the families of the deceased given by the state government was grossly inadequate for the loss of life of bread earners.

Madhya Pradesh Government's Chief Secretary has been directed to submit proof of payment made to the next of kin of all the ten deceased within six weeks.

The Commission has also stated that this amount is independent of any other claim contemplated or pending before any court or tribunal. However, the state government is at liberty to submit the details of relief before the concerned court or tribunal where the claims are under adjudication under the Workmen Compensation Act as mentioned by the State Government in its response to the Commission.

The Commission has also asked the Madhya Pradesh Government, through its Chief Secretary, to ensure speedy disposal of proceedings under Workmen Compensation Act pending in Labour Court, Rewa.

During the course of enquiry, the Commission had been informed by the State Government that the criminal proceedings against the rice mill owner and the Project Engineer were pending in the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.

The next of kin of ten deceased labourers were paid one lakh rupees each, and eleven seriously injured were paid 50, 000 rupees from the Chief Minister's Fund.