TSNPDCL asked to pay Rs. 90K to Khammam farmer whose cow was electrocuted
The Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission has directed Telangana State Northern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSNPDCL) to pay Rs. 90,000 as compensation to a farmer whose cow was electrocuted.
By Sumit Jha Published on 20 Jun 2021 1:56 PM GMT
Khammam: The Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission has directed Telangana State Northern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSNPDCL) to pay Rs. 90,000 as compensation to a farmer whose cow was electrocuted.
The complainant, Madipalli Pedda Venkateswarlu, is a resident of Repally Wadda village under Chinthakani mandal in Khammam district. On 19 May 2020, he took his three cows and five buffaloes to the fields for grazing. One of the cows came in contact with a live wire and was electrocuted to death.
Venkateswarlu immediately asked TSNPDCL to cut the power. He alleged that the electrical wires were hanging one foot high. He filed a report at Chinthakani police station and a case was registered. A vet examined the dead cow and said it had died due to electrocution.
"The cow cost around Rs. 50,000 and used to give eight liters of milk a day. I used to get Rs. 320 by selling the milk," said Venkateswarlu.
TSNPDCL said that an LT line stud pole (support) was damaged by the wind and it was leaning close to the ground. When the cow was grazing, it touched the line and was electrocuted.
Observing this argument, the commission said, "If there was gale and winds and due to its impact the poles fell, which led to the snapping of the lines either on the roads or agricultural fields, then it should be the responsibility of the opposite parties to maintain the electrical poles and lines properly. Therefore, they should attend the work and secure the lines and safeguard the lives of humans and animals."
TSNPDCL also said that the complainant had left his cows unattended in the field which is far away from his house. If the complainant had taken care, the accident would not have occurred, it added.
To this the commission said, "Contrary to this, the TSNPDCL has not filed any evidence that the complainant was not present at the time of the incident."
The commission added that due to the sheer negligence on part of the opposite parties in not maintaining the LT power lines, the complainant has lost his income and livestock. "In view of these circumstances, we allow compensation to the complainant to the tune of Rs. 50,000 apart from ex gratia sum of Rs. 40,000," the commission said.
