NHRC today asked Madhya Pradesh government to pay an interim relief of Rs three lakh each to the next of kin of ten labourers who were killed when an underconstruction rice mill collapsed in Rewa district.
The Commission held that the financial assistance of Rs one lakh each to the families of the deceased given by the state Government was grossly inadequate for the loss of life of bread earners.
The Chief Secretary, Government of Madhya Pradesh has been directed to submit proof within six weeks of payment made to the next of kin of all the ten labourers killed in Bhundha village on February 4, according to a statement by National Human Rights Commission.
NHRC 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 court concerned 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 Government of Madhya Pradesh, 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 Rs one lakh each and eleven seriously injured were paid Rs 50,000 from the Chief Minister's Fund.
