Himachal Pradesh: Taking strong note of the delay in disbursing compensation to the kin of nine victims killed in the fire incident at NR Aromas in Barotiwala, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed the district administration to personally complete the paper formalities and ensure prompt payment of relief amount to the families of the deceased. The commission passed these orders during a recent hearing under Section 18 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, while noting that nine persons died in the incident due to the incendiary substance used in the said unit.
The commission had taken cognizance of the incident that took place on February 2 at NR Aromas – a perfume manufacturing factory at Jharmazari in Barotiwala. The panel had sought a report from the district administration in this regard. In its latest hearing about a fortnight ago, the commission directed the additional deputy commissioner (ADC) to personally collect the necessary documents related to ex-gratia for the deceased and credit the compensation amount of Rs 4 lakh into the accounts of their kin as per the notified norms of the state revenue department. Solan ADC Ajay Yadav, who is conducting a magisterial inquiry into the fire incident, said that the kin of the accident victims, who are migrants from Uttar Pradesh, would be personally contacted and compensated. He said it would be ensured that their paper formalities are completed at the earliest so that they can be provided proper relief.
After spending a few days in Baddi after the accident, the victim families had left for their native places hoping that the post-mortem report would be ready after the forensic report is submitted. Reshma from Bareilly, whose daughter Rahnuma died in the fire tragedy, and Rajveer from Badaun, whose daughter Kajal lost her life in the accident, were running from pillar to post for compensation. Victim Kajal Bharti’s brother Durgesh from Kushinagar, victim Rakhi’s father Prem Singh from Sambhal and victim Shashi’s father Naresh from Badaun in Uttar Pradesh were knocking on the doors of lawyers and revenue officials for proper compensation. These migrants came to Baddi last week but could not get any compensation as the postmortem report did not mention the cause of death while the forensic report is still awaited. The ADC said it will be ensured that the postmortem report is completed and the documents required to seek compensation are submitted to the authorities soon. He said all the forensic reports have been received except one.
