Chief secy gets show cause notice
Why didn’t silicosis victims get aid: NHRC
The National Human Rights Commission on Monday issued a show cause notice to Delhi chief secretary P K Tripathi, asking him to explain why some victims of silicosis were not given monetary relief. He has been given six weeks to respond.
According to the Commission, it has been established prima facie that the city government failed to protect 21 mine workers from the occupational disease, caused due to inhaling silica. NHRC said it was a case of violation of human rights.
The Commission was earlier approached by non-governmental organisation PRASAR with a list of 44 unorganised sector workers who were allegedly suffering from the disease.
A report from Lala Ram Swarup Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease also found evidence of silicosis. On the basis of these reports the commission issued a notice to the city government.
