Madras High Court directs state govt to pay Rs 10 lakh to families of two kids
Chennai: The Madras high court has directed the state government to pay Rs 10 lakh each as compensation to families of two children electrocuted in Kodunguiyur on November 1. Closing suo motu proceedings, the first Bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M.Sundar said after deducting the amount of Rs 2 lakh already announced and paid by the government, the balance amount of Rs 8 lakh shall be paid to the families within a week.
The bench said, “Keeping live wires open smacks of criminal negligence. The authorities shall ensure that all necked wires in the city are sealed and adequate steps are taken to ensure that such incidents do not take place in future”.
Earlier, advocate R.Y.George Williams on whose initiative, the bench had on November 2 initiated suo motu proceedings, sought a direction to the Tangedco to pay a compensation of Rs 25 lakh each to the families of the girls. The negligence on the part of the authorities to maintain the electricity supply boxes and wires in good condition had scattered the dreams of their parents to make them as doctors and engineers, he added.
Provide shelter and food to affected people: Madras High Court
The Madras high court has directed the state government to make arrangements for providing shelter and food to the affected people in waterlogged areas. Passing interim orders on a batch of PILs from advocates A.P. Suryaprakasam and R.Y. George Williams and others, the first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M. Sundar said, “The respondents (authorities) shall, within November 10, file a detailed status report with regard to various steps taken to prevent logging of water and drain out the accumulated water from the water logging areas in Chennai city. Pump sets shall be installed to remove the water accumulated”.
Directing authorities to expedite within three months, the removal of encroachments on water bodies and canals and remove the unauthorised constructions and structures blocking the drainage and other water flowing areas, the bench posted on November 10, further hearing of cases.
In his petition, Suryaprakasam submitted that there was an unprecedented flood in December 2015, in which Chennai and neighbourhood districts were practically covered in 10 feet deep water. This court had treated the petition as a sou moto petition and issued several directions.
