Hospital to pay Rs 20 lakh compensation to sanitation worker's family member

A hospital was on Friday ordered to pay Rs.20 lakh to the family of a sanitation worker who died while cleaning a manhole opposite the hospital.

The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) ordered the ESI Hospital Noida to pay Rs.20 lakh to the family of Babloo, who died Feb 24.

According to police, Babloo was ordered to enter the manhole of the sewer line where he fell unconscious due to the presence of methane gas.

A fruit vendor noticed him falling unconscious and tried to rescue him and entered the manhole where he also fell unconscious. Seeing both of them in crisis, a third man named Ramu tried to rescue them.

In the meantime, the contractor sent a team to rescue them.

Babloo and fruit vendor Shyamvir Yadav were found dead while Ramu was rescued unhurt. After the incident, the agitated family members protested against the contractor and demanded government job for the dependent.

In the meantime, the NCSK took cognizance and asked the ESI hospital to pay Rs.20 lakh as compensation to the family of the deceased.

A criminal case was also registered against contractor Sardar Singh and three of his unidentified accomplices in the sector 20 police station.

"A case under section 304 (A) has been registered against the contractor and three other unidentified people. Regarding the actions of the NCSK, a decision would be taken by the higher bureaucratic level," police inspector Pankaj Pant said.