NEPRA fines HESCO for fatalities due to Hyderabad transformer blast
Hesco fined for death of 12 people in current incidents
HESCO has failed to discharge its statutory obligations to maintain safety standards
ISLAMABAD Oct 11,2021
NEPRA has imposed a fine of Rs (26 million on Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) on account of transformer blast at Latifabad, Hyderabad in which 10 persons died and around 12 persons were injured.
Earlier NEPRA sources said that NEPRA has held Hesco responsible for death of 12 people due to electric current incidents in the region and fined the power distribution company Rs 121 million.
According to NEPRA, 15 people were killed in the current incidents between July 2019 and October 2020, Hesco was held responsible for 12 deaths.
NEPRA has constituted a three member investigation committee under Section 27A of NEPRA Act 1997 which investigated the matter in detail by visiting the site of incident, recording the statements of the residents, inqu ring the concerned officials/officers of HESCO, conducted analysis of the damaged transformer, visiting manufacturer of the blasted transformer and presented a detailed report to the Authority.
Hesco fined for death of 12 people in current incidents
The report revealed a total of 10 fatalities which Included one HESCO employee and 9 persons from general public and 12 injured persons.
The Authority Issued a show cause notice to HESCO under Section 278 of the NEPRA Act, 1997 and later provided an opportunity of hearing to HESCO.
Based on the evidence available on record, submissions of HESCO and relevant provisions of the laws, rules and regulations; the Authority concluded that HESCO has failed to discharge its statutory obligations to maintain safety standards as laid down in the relevant laws, code and manual.
The Authority, therefore, imposed a fine of Rs.26 million on HESCO. The Authority has also noticed that HESCO has given compensation of Rs.3.5 million to the family of Its deceased employee who lost his life In the said Incident, however, compensation of Rs 7.5 lac has been given to the families of nine deceased persons from the general public.
The Authority directed HESCO to compensate the families of the deceased from the general public equal to the amount given to deceased employee’s family (Rs 3.5 million) and documentary evidence of the same shall be shared with the Authority.
Related Stories
