“TNEB bound to pay compensation”

 The Madras High Court has said that the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board is bound to pay Rs.1.75 lakh (balance amount) as compensation to the family of a woman who died of electric shock nine years ago.

In his order on a writ petition seeking a direction to the Chairman of the board, Chief Engineer (Personnel) and the Superintending Engineer, Gobi Electricity Distribution Circle, Erode district, to sanction Rs. 2 lakh as compensation for the death of Palaniammal alias Annakodi (37), Justice N. Paul Vasanthakumar said the sanction of Rs.25,000 by the board earlier clearly revealed the admission of negligence on the part of the TNEB authorities in maintaining the electric wire. K. Shanmugam and S. Sathish, husband and son of the victim, in their petition submitted that in April 2000, Palaniammal was doing a farm work on the field of Thanaseelan of Karattadipalayam when the electric overhead wire snapped and fell on her. She died on the spot. The land owner lodged a complaint with the police. The petitioners said due to inaction and lack of supervision in maintaining the electric lines in proper manner, the wire got cut resulting in the woman’s death.

The respondents submitted that only due to heavy wind and rain, the accident occurred. There was no negligence by the board.

Citing court decisions, Mr. Justice Paul Vasanthakumar said he was of the view that the petitioners were entitled to get reasonable compensation. Since the amount claimed was reasonable and considering the age and income of the deceased and the age of the petitioners, the respondents were bound to pay the balance amount of Rs.1.75 lakh.