Staffer on trip duty suspended, enquiry ordered: Govt

Excelsior  Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 19: Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Mir Saifullah today informed the Legislative Assembly that enquiry has been ordered in the electrocution of PDD lineman in Yaripora area of Kulgam and staffer on trip duty suspended.
The issue was raised in the House by CPM MLA, Mohd Yousaf Tarigami, who demanded action against concerned staff for negligence and payment of job and ex-gratia relief to the next of kin of the deceased namely Ghulam Nabi Sofi.
On the direction of the Speaker, Mubarak Gul, the Law Minister informed the House that the lineman was carrying out repairs and restoration of power supply during which he received a severe electric shock.  The PDD daily rated worker reportedly remained hanging for about 15 minutes but the staff on duty did not trip down the electric supply resulting into his instant death, he added
The Minister said that the department has been asked to enquire into the incident and fix responsibility. Moreover, directions have been issued for processing the case for ex-gratia relief to the next of the kin of the deceased, he added.
However, on the insistence of National Conference MLA, Nasir Aslam Wani, the Minister ordered suspension of staffer on trip duty.