BHRC summons Motihari Additional Collector in crop damage case

Speed Post News Network

Patna: Bihar Human Rights Commission (BHRC) on Friday directed the Additional Collector, Motihari, East Champaran to appear before it on July 15, 2016, with the action taken report (ATR) about the payment of compensation to the residents of village Mani Chhapra under Chakiya police station in the district whose wheat crop was damaged due to sparks in high tension (HT) 11 KV lines on April 16, 2012.

Some residents of Mani Chhapra had complained  to the Commission that due to sparks  in high tension 11 KV lines on April 16, 2012, two animals were killed and wheat crop on seven acre was damaged. Further damage  was averted due to intervention by the fire brigade, they said.  The BHRC had sought response from North Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd (NBPDCL), Patna. It was reported that due to high velocity winds HT lines  collided  generating sparks due to  which wheat crop on one acre was damaged. No animal was injured, it claimed. The BHRC was also informed that as per policy of the NBPDCL  there is no provision for grant of compensation for damages to crops and since the  incident was the result of a natural phenomenon, claim  for compensation is not sustainable, said BHRC member Neelmani.

The commission suggested CMD, NBPDCL, to consider formulating a policy for compensating  such damages. CMD, NBPDCL, Patna, informed that compensation  for such damages to crops is covered under a  Disaster Management  Department circular of September 30, 2015,  under ” Agricultural input grants”. The company had requested Additional Collector, Motihari, and DM, East Champaran, to provide  compensation to the victims in November 2015. But, action taken by East Champaran district administration so far is not known  to the Commission .  The copies  of the BHRC order has been faxed to DM, East Champaran, and Additional Collector, Motihari.

.