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Key Points

CESC has announced an ex-gratia payment for the families affected by recent electrocutions. The deaths occurred after people came into contact with exposed wires submerged in flooded streets. This decision comes after pressure from both the Calcutta High Court and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The company has not yet addressed the demand to provide jobs to the victims' families.

Key Points: CESC Announces Rs 5 Lakh Compensation for Bengal Electrocution Victims

  • Compensation follows 10 deaths from contact with naked wires in waterlogged Kolkata streets
  • Calcutta High Court sought a report from CESC on the electrocution incidents
  • Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had blamed CESC and demanded compensation
  • CESC holds a monopoly on power distribution in Kolkata and Howrah district
2 min read

CESC announces ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to victims of Bengal electrocution deaths

Sanjiv Goenka's CESC will pay Rs 5 lakh to families of 10 electrocution victims in Kolkata after court and Mamata Banerjee pressure.

"CESC is deeply saddened by the loss of life... we have decided to provide Rs 5 lakh to each of the families of the bereaved - Avijit Ghosh, CESC Executive Director"

Kolkata, Sep 25

Amid all-round pressure, Sanjiv Goenka-owned CESC Limited, a private power generation-cum-distribution utility, on Thursday, announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the victims of electrocution deaths in areas across West Bengal under the private firm's jurisdiction.

The deaths, a total of 10 in West Bengal, including eight in Kolkata, took place after the victims came in contact with the naked electricity wires submerged in the waterlogged streets in different pockets of the city following nightlong rains earlier this week.

CESC enjoys a monopoly in power distribution in Kolkata as well as in the adjacent district of Howrah.

On Thursday afternoon, CESC's executive director, Avijit Ghosh, announced the compensation.

"CESC is deeply saddened by the loss of life due to the natural calamity in our city. On humanitarian grounds, we have decided to provide Rs 5 lakh to each of the families of the bereaved," Ghosh said.

CESC compensation announcement comes hours after a division bench of the Calcutta High Court, earlier on Thursday, sought a report from CESC Limited, on the multiple electrocution deaths in and around Kolkata on Tuesday.

Earlier, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blamed CESC for the electrocution deaths and also demanded that the company pay a compensation of Rs 5,00,00 to the families of each of the victims of the electrocution deaths, besides offering jobs to one member from each such family.

The Chief Minister had announced a compensation of Rs 2,00,000 for the families of each of the electrocution victims.

Now that the compensation is being announced, there has been no announcement for jobs on the part of the company as demanded by CESC.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Finally some action! But why did they wait for court pressure and CM's demand? This should have been automatic. Safety should be their priority, not just compensation after tragedies.
A
Arjun K
Good step by CESC. At least they're taking responsibility. But the real issue is Kolkata's drainage system and exposed wires. Both government and CESC need to work together on permanent solutions.
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Sarah B
As someone living in Kolkata, this is terrifying. We face these issues every rainy season. Compensation is necessary but prevention is more important. When will our infrastructure improve?
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Vikram M
CM announced 2 lakh and CESC 5 lakh - total 7 lakh for each family. This is substantial help. Hope the money reaches the families quickly without any bureaucratic delays.
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Michael C
While compensation is important, I'm concerned about the monopoly situation. When one company controls everything, accountability suffers. Maybe time to review this monopoly arrangement?
A
Ananya R
This is so heartbreaking 💔 10 lives lost because of negligence. Money can't bring back loved ones. CESC must invest in proper infrastructure upgrades immediately. Prevention is better than compensation.

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