NEA to pay Rs. 1.57 M to child losing hands in accident

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, July 24: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has decided to provide a total of Rs. 1,571,250 to a child who lost both hands after suffering a serious electric shock in Ghusery, Triveni Rural Municipality-2 of Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East). The amount covers medical treatment expenses, compensation and caregiver costs, according to a press statement issued by the NEA. 

The decision was taken by the NEA Board of Directors, which approved financial assistance for the child's treatment, compensation for the accident and caregiver expenses. 

According to the NEA, the approved amount will be provided to the victim's family through the concerned distribution centre.

According to the authority, the accident occurred when the child, while playing on the roof of the mother's group building in Triveni Rural Municipality-2, Ghuseri, touched a nearby 11 kV power line. The child, who was seriously injured in the accident, lost both his hands.

The NEA said that it has been providing compensation and medical treatment expenses to victims of electrical accidents in accordance with Sub-clause (1) of Rule 11 of the Electrical Accident Compensation Regulations, 2067.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha said the assistance had been provided to the victim's family in accordance with existing legal provisions and previous precedents.

He said no amount of money could compensate for the loss of a person's life or the lifelong suffering caused by such a tragedy. 

However, he expressed hope that the financial support would help ease the family's burden by assisting with the child's treatment and daily living expenses.