MHRC finally ensures disbursement of ex-gratia payment pending since 2018

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 22, 2024

The Secretary, Meghalaya Human Rights Commission, has informed that the Commission, comprising of members, B Giri and P J P Hanaman held a camp sitting at Tura on 19^th-21^st March, 2024 to dispose cases of human rights violations registered with the Commission.

In a significant development, the Commission was able to ensure disbursement of ex-gratia financial assistant of Rs. 1, 00,000/- from the Meghalaya Power Distribution Development Corporation Ltd (MePDCL) to each of the five widows whose husbands were electrocuted at Manikganj village of North Garo Hills District on 25^th July, 2018. The ex-gratia payment had been sanctioned on 11^th February, 2019 and had been pending disbursement since then. It was due to the initiative of the Commission that the beneficiaries, who were from Assam, were able to be identified by publications that were made in the Assamese vernacular dailies and payment finally given to the widows on 20^th March, 2024 at Tura.

Incidentally the ex-gratia relief to victim of electrocution has since been enhanced to Rs. 2, 50,000/- w.e.f., 22^nd July, 2020.