NHRC Takes Action Following Tragic Deaths of Workers in Angul

Investigation Launched into Worker Deaths

Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has instructed the principal secretary of the Labour and ESI department, along with the District Magistrate (DM) of Angul, to provide a detailed report concerning the deaths of two workers who tragically lost their lives while cleaning a septic tank in the district last year.

This action by the NHRC was prompted by a petition from rights activist Akhand, who reported that Raghu Hansdah, aged 28, and Medha Nag, aged 31, both from Redham village in Mayurbhanj district, died during the septic tank cleaning incident in Nuahata village under the jurisdiction of Banarpal police on September 13, 2024. The petitioner referenced a significant Supreme Court ruling in the case of Safai Karamchari Andolan vs Union of India (2014), which prohibited manual scavenging and mandated a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each death occurring in such dangerous work.

However, the Angul DM's report dated December 3, 2024, stated that the deceased were not engaged in manual scavenging but were working as masons for a private construction project. The report indicated that each family received Rs 10,000 from the Red Cross and Rs 3,000 under the Harishchandra Sahayata Yojana as immediate support.

The NHRC later noted that the DM's report lacked crucial information regarding actions taken under the Odisha Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board’s accidental death benefit scheme. The commission reminded the authorities that this scheme offers financial aid to registered construction workers in cases of both natural and accidental deaths. Consequently, the NHRC has requested a comprehensive report from the principal secretary of the Labour and ESI department and the Angul DM by September 1 this year, addressing whether the deceased workers were registered with the Odisha Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board and if their families have been considered for any benefits.