Sewer deaths: NHRC probes civic bodies

Taking cognizance of media reports about the death of a sanitation worker while cleaning a sewer, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday asked MCD and DJB to explain non-compliance of its guidelines on safety of workers.

Taking cognizance of media reports about the death of a sanitation worker while cleaning a sewer, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday asked MCD and DJB to explain non-compliance of its guidelines on safety of workers.

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Rampal (45), an MCD sanitation worker, died on August 8 in Rohini while cleaning a sewer.

Reports suggested Rampal and another worker Dharamvir (40) had entered a sewer to clean it, without safety equipment. Both fell unconscious and were taken to a nearby hospital where doctors declared Rampal “dead” while Dharamvir’s condition was stated to be stable.

“If true, the incident raises a serious issue of violation of human rights of the deceased because of non-observance of the safety guidelines framed by the Commission and circulated to the MCD long back," it said.

Issuing notices to the MCD commissioner and DJB chairman, the NHRC directed them to file reports within four weeks.

It also asked them to inform if they had taken any action against the officials responsible.

The commission sought to know if the two bodies paid any compensation, in addition to the benefits admissible under the service rules, or proposed to pay to the deceased’s next of kin.