Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SN/CN)

Udupi, Nov 28: Negligence has led to the death of Gautam Pande, a worker at the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) Lanco power plant on Thursday November 27.

Iron rods weighing about 150 kg were being lifted by a crane to the boiler tower, when they fell on Pande after the lock opened. He died on the spot. It was six months ago, that Pande, hailing from Baliya district of Uttar Pradesh, joined Lanco power plant. 

Naveen Babu and Neelesh, were the crane operators. The workers called in Padubidri police, who arrived immediately and took away the body in a company ambulance. The workers also held a protest. They alleged that similar incidents have taken place a couple of times earlier no compensation was given to the family and no precautionary measures adopted. 

The protesters allowed the body to be moved out only after Lanco officials visited the spot and handed over a cheque of Rs 1 lac as compensation to the family of the deceased. Until Pande’s brother comes down from Mumbai, the body will be kept at the Manipal mortuary. 

Santosh Kumar, deputy superintendent of police, expressed dissatisfaction at the lack of precautionary measures by company officials and contractors. Speaking to press persons, he said that necessary action will be taken against the company. Cheluvaraju, circle inspector, and Mohan Kottari, police station official, were present.