NHRC seeks report from Odisha govt on preparedness to meet emergency situation
BHUBANESWAR: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought action taken report (ATR) from the state government regarding the preparedness to meet emergency situation in Bhubaneswar. It issued this order in view of the petrol pump explosion occurred on October 7 near governor’s house in the capital city.
The commission passed this direction on November 2 after hearing a petition filed by rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy. The NHRC sought the report latest by December 10 this year. It has also marked the copy of the order to the director general of police (DGP) Odisha for his information and needful action.
The petitioner has urged the commission to ask the state government to furnish information regarding it’s preparedness to face exigency like the situation occurred after explosion at a petrol pump near Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on October 7.
The petitioner stated that government hospitals in the capital city are not well equipped to deal with patients with burn injuries. Citing example of October 7 petrol pump explosion incident, he said that heavy traffic between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack sometimes delay the treatment of burn patients.
“Only SCB medical college hospital Cuttack has the facility to treat such patients. The traffic jam from Bhubaneswar to Cuttack sometimes creates problem while shifting the burn patients. The delay due to traffic jam may make the condition of patients complicated. A proper solution is needed for this problem,” said the petitioner.
In his prayers, Tripathy has mentioned that the negligence and failure of the state governments to ensure safety, well equipped fire fighting infrastructure, continuous surveillance and vigil to protect human rights, timely medical treatment and proper traffic management amounts to serious violation of human rights.
He requested the commission to take up this case urgently and ensure proper health care facilities in government hospitals in Bhubaneswar along with regular audit of fire safety in different establishments in the capital. Besides, traffic management and other emergency issues should be taken up seriously to avoid delay in transporting serious patients to Cuttack.
Earlier, acting on an urgent petition filed by Tripathy, the NHRC had sought action taken reports from Odisha chief secretary and from the secretary, Union ministry of petroleum and natural gas over the issue of petrol pump blast.