Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar has assured of strict action against those responsible for death of line helper of Electricity department Krishna Pawar.
Dhavalikar said that it was an unfortunate accident yesterday, a Line Helper of the Electricity department, Krishna Pawar, passed away.
“I am deeply saddened by this incident, and express my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends,” he said.
Further, Dhavalikar said that strict action will be taken against those responsible for this accident, within 24 hours.
“Additionally, a high-powered committee will be instituted to investigate all such deaths, and appropriate action will be taken against responsible persons,” he said.
“I and the government will take all necessary steps for the welfare and livelihood of the family and children of Krishna Pawar, including providing a government job to his wife,” he said.
Pawar is survived by his wife and daughter. His brother works in the electricity department.
A fortnight ago, a labourer engaged by a contractor was electrocuted to death while painting an electricity department structure at Dicarpale. The power was supposed to be shut off, but it suddenly got switched on. Later, the department seemed to be clueless about how it happened.
As for Pawar, his angry family members said that they were not given clear details about the circumstances of his death. They blamed the department’s engineers for negligence.
Line helpers are the chief victims of electrocution, MLA Jit Arolkar said, adding someone needs to take responsibility. “When staff are deployed on duty, a senior must ensure that the junior is carrying out the work safely,” he said. He called for the immediate suspension of those responsible for negligence.
Linemen are duty-bound to climb poles, Arolkar said, but line helpers are often made to do so.
