New Delhi [India], Following the death of two brothers in Haryana's Sonipat after inhaling poisonous gas while cleaning a septic tank, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognizance of the case and issued notices to the chief secretary of Haryana and the Director General of Police.
In a press release, the CNDH reported that it became suo motu aware of a press report published on June 13, 2024 regarding the death of two brothers after inhaling poisonous gas while cleaning a septic tank at a private packaging factory near the Bazidpur village. Saboli in Sonipat district.
His third companion from the same village reportedly survived the accident. Police authorities sent the bodies of the deceased for autopsy and an FIR was registered against the factory owner.
The Commission in its press release said that it has observed that the content of the news, if true, raises a serious issue of violation of human rights.
"The negligence of the factory owner and the local authorities is evident as the workers were reportedly not provided with any safety equipment while cleaning the septic tank. This is despite the Commission having reiterated the implementation of its notice dated 24.9.2021 and its guidelines. from Apex court to put an end to hazardous manual cleaning by using machines and providing safety equipment to workers,” the NHRC press release said.
He further added, "Accordingly, the Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Haryana Police seeking a detailed report on the matter within a week, including the status of the FIR registered in the matter, action taken against the responsible persons, as well as relief and rehabilitation provided by the authorities to the relatives of the deceased workers."
In issuing the notices, the Commission has also drawn the attention of the authorities concerned that in its notice on the Protection of Human Rights of Persons Engaged in Manual Garbage Collection or Hazardous Cleaning, it is mentioned that in case of death of any health worker while carrying out hazardous cleaning work, the local authority and the contractor/employer must be held jointly and severally liable, regardless of the type of employment/engagement of the health worker.
He further added, “Apart from this, the decision delivered by the Supreme Court, Dr. Balram Singh v. Union of India (WP(C) No. 324 of 2020) dated October 20, 2023, lays down the specific mandate of that it is the duty of local authorities and other agencies to use modern technology to clean sewers, etc."
In a press release, the CNDH reported that it became suo motu aware of a press report published on June 13, 2024 regarding the death of two brothers after inhaling poisonous gas while cleaning a septic tank at a private packaging factory near the Bazidpur village. Saboli in Sonipat district.
His third companion from the same village reportedly survived the accident. Police authorities sent the bodies of the deceased for autopsy and an FIR was registered against the factory owner.
The Commission in its press release said that it has observed that the content of the news, if true, raises a serious issue of violation of human rights.
"The negligence of the factory owner and the local authorities is evident as the workers were reportedly not provided with any safety equipment while cleaning the septic tank. This is despite the Commission having reiterated the implementation of its notice dated 24.9.2021 and its guidelines. from Apex court to put an end to hazardous manual cleaning by using machines and providing safety equipment to workers,” the NHRC press release said.
He further added, "Accordingly, the Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Haryana Police seeking a detailed report on the matter within a week, including the status of the FIR registered in the matter, action taken against the responsible persons, as well as relief and rehabilitation provided by the authorities to the relatives of the deceased workers."
In issuing the notices, the Commission has also drawn the attention of the authorities concerned that in its notice on the Protection of Human Rights of Persons Engaged in Manual Garbage Collection or Hazardous Cleaning, it is mentioned that in case of death of any health worker while carrying out hazardous cleaning work, the local authority and the contractor/employer must be held jointly and severally liable, regardless of the type of employment/engagement of the health worker.
He further added, “Apart from this, the decision delivered by the Supreme Court, Dr. Balram Singh v. Union of India (WP(C) No. 324 of 2020) dated October 20, 2023, lays down the specific mandate of that it is the duty of local authorities and other agencies to use modern technology to clean sewers, etc."
