Bengal govt announces compensation, jobs for kin of five workers electrocuted in Cooch Behar
Kolkata, March 2
The West Bengal government on Monday announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each and a job for one of the family members of five workers who were electrocuted in Cooch Behar district's Dinhata area.
North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha, Cooch Behar District Magistrate Raju Mishra, and Superintendent of Police Sandeep Karra met the family members of the workers and made the announcement. The state government has conveyed its support to the bereaved family members.
"The news of this incident has already reached Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. She has said that a compensation of Rs 2 lakh will be given to the family of the deceased workers and a job will be arranged for one of their family members," the minister said.
The accident occurred at a stone crushing factory in the Gadkura area of Dinhata Village II Gram Panchayat, where several workers are employed to break stones, on Sunday. After finishing work, the workers were pushing a welding machine from one part of the factory to another, when the machine came in contact with a 11,000 volt high-tension wire passing over the factory. The five workers died on the spot after being electrocuted.
The deceased workers have been identified as Mukul Barman, a resident of the Baisguri area of Dinhata, Raju Sen, a resident of Okrabari, Mithun Pal, a resident of Burirhat, Suman Barman, a resident of the area adjacent to Boys Club in Dinhata city and Sanjay Barman, a resident of the Shingijani area of Bhetaguri.
Three more workers were seriously injured and admitted to Dinhata Subdivision Hospital. Their condition is said to be critical, said the police.
— IANS
Reader Comments
My heart goes out to the families. Losing a loved one in such a horrific way is unimaginable. The government's quick response with compensation and a job is commendable. I hope the injured workers recover soon and receive full support as well. 🙏 Safety audits for all such factories are urgently needed across the state.
Rs. 2 lakh is too little for a life. With inflation, what will that amount do for a family's future? A job is good, but it's often a low-paying contractual one. The government needs to revise these compensation packages. Also, what about the injured? Their medical bills and loss of livelihood need to be covered.
This is so heartbreaking. These workers were just trying to earn a living in a dangerous job. The immediate announcement of aid shows the administration is aware, but prevention is key. Regular inspections and strict enforcement of labour laws are non-negotiable. Thoughts with the Cooch Behar community.
The speed of the announcement is appreciated. Didi's government often acts fast in such cases. But let's be honest, these accidents keep happening. We need a permanent solution, not just reactive compensation. The electricity department and factory inspectors need to do their job properly. Jai Hind.
Respectfully, while the compensation is a good step, it feels like treating the symptom, not the disease. How many more workers have to die before safety becomes a priority? The factory owner must face severe penalties. This wasn't an "accident"; it was a disaster waiting to happen due to negligence.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.