Legal heirs of electrocuted victims eligible for Rs 5 lakh aid

Hyderabad: About 150 people have been electrocuted in the past year in the state due to various reasons, including burning of service wires and cellphone charger explosions.

All victims are eligible for an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh upon showing the FIR stating that the cause of death was electric shock.

The department has spent around Rs 7.5 crore so far in paying out ex gratia amounts. Anyone who is electrocuted whether at home or outside would be paid ex gratia upon submitting proof that they are the legal heirs. As per the recent amendment of the Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission, the ex gratia amount was enhanced to `5 lakh in case of a fatal accident resulting in the death of a non-departmental person or an animal owing to electrocution. In addition, it differs from animal to animal and ranges from `10,000 to `50,000.

The order states that the `5 lakh ex gratia will be split into two components — a fixed deposit for a sum of `4.5 lakh in a nationalised bank at the place of residence and a balance of `50,000 by way of cash.

The legal heir is allowed to take the amount only after five years but earns interest every quarter.

This condition can be relaxed if it results in financial hardships for the legal heirs.