सव भव तु सिखनः ु Annual Report 2022-23 that the response to the show cause no ce was not based on merits, and hence the State was vicariously liable to compensate for this unfortunate and un mely death of the minor girl. Therefore, the Commission confirmed its recommenda on of monetary compensa on to be paid to the next of kin of the deceased. In response, the Special Secretary, Department of Energy, Government of Odisha, submi ed a compliance report along with proof of payment, sta ng that an amount of rupees five lakh had been paid to the father of the deceased. As the recommenda on of the Commission had been complied with, the case was closed on 26 July 2022. 18.) Tragic Death of Fisherman Electrocuted in Brahmani River, Odisha (Case No: 2304/18/20/2021) On 24 November 2021, the Commission took cognizance of a complaint filed from District Khurda, Odisha, based on a news report published in a newspaper on 05 October 2021. The report highlighted that a fisherman died due to electrocu on from a low-hanging electricity line while fishing in the Brahmani River in Odisha. Pursuant to the direc ons issued by the Commission, the Commission received an enquiry report dated 18 February 2022 from the Deputy Secretary to the Government of Odisha, Energy Department, on 15 March 2022. The report revealed that the fatal electrical accident occurred in the licensed area of TPWODL, Sambalpur, a Distribu on Licensee under the OERC, Bhubaneswar. According to the report, the deceased vic m may have come in contact with the 11 KV line and fallen unconscious into the Brahmani River, leading to drowning. It was further noted that the pole suppor ng the electricity line was submerged due to increased flood levels, which violated safety regula ons. Upon perusal of the enquiry reports and accompanying documents, it became evident that the fatal electrocu on accident occurred due to negligence on the part of TPWODL/ Distribu on Licensee for failing to ensure proper ground clearance of the 11 KV electricity line. The vic m's family received a meagre compensa on of Rs. 10,000 from the Tehsildar, and no compensa on was paid by TPWODL/ Distribu on Licensee to the NoK of the deceased. This established a viola on of human rights, and the State was held vicariously liable. 36 On 26 July 2022, the Commission issued a show cause no ce to the Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha, as to why the Commission should not recommend compensaon of Rs. 5,00,000/- (Rupees Five Lakh only) to be paid to the NoK of the deceased. Addi onally, the District Magistrate, Deogarh, was directed to personally ensure that the family received benefits under various social welfare schemes of the State and Central Governments. In response, the Special Secretary to the Government of Odisha, Energy Department, submi ed a reply dated 05 August 2022, sta ng that the fatal accident occurred due to the vic m's negligence and claiming that TPWODL officers and staff were not responsible. Thus, it was requested to. dismiss the case. However, the Commission rejected this stance and upheld TPWODL's liability for the accident. Furthermore, pursuant to the Commission's direc ons, a reply was received from the Collector and District Magistrate, Deogarh, on 15 September 2022, sta ng that the family of the deceased vic m received benefits under various social welfare schemes of the State and Central Government. A er considering the replies and perusing the case details, the Commission reaffirmed its decision to award monetary compensa on of Rs. 5,00,000/- (Rupees Five Lakh only) to be paid to the NoK of the deceased. A compliance report was received, confirming that the compensa on amount was paid to the deceased's NoK on 16 December 2022. Consequently, the Commission closed the case on 18 January 2023. 19.) Death of 12-year-old child in Bengaluru, Karnataka, due to electrocu on (Case No: 1114/10/31/2022) The Commission received a report of the death of a 12year-old child, due to electrocu on a er coming in contact with a live dangling electricity wire. The incident occurred on 16 July 2022 within the jurisdic on of Yeshwantpur PS, Bengaluru North district. Pursuant to the direc on of the Commission, the General Manager (Q, S & S) of BESCOM, Karnataka, submi ed a detailed report on 09 February 2023. The report highlighted that the accident was a result of heavy rain and strong winds, causing a branch from a tree at the BMTC depot compound to strike the electric lines. This resulted in a short circuit, leading to the accidental snapping of the conductor, which tragically fell on the child while he was in a narrow lane beneath the electric lines. The report Chapter 7 - Thematic Areas