Times of India, Delhi Saturday 14th March 2015, Page: 13. Width: cms, Height: cms, a4, Ref: pmin

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1 Times of India, Delhi Saturday 14th March 2015, Page: 13 Width: cms, Height: cms, a4, Ref: pmin

2 Millennium Post, Delhi Saturday 14th March 2015, Page: 5 Width: 7.83 cms, Height: 6.00 cms, a4, Ref: pmin

3 Nai Dunia, New Delhi Saturday 14th March 2015, Page: 3 Width: 4.29 cms, Height: 5.62 cms, a4, Ref: pmin

4 Jansatta, Delhi Saturday 14th March 2015, Page: 7 Width: cms, Height: 6.73 cms, a4, Ref: pmin

5 Compensation ordered for Odisha drug deaths Friday, March 13, :41:16 PM (IST) Bhubaneswar, March 13 (IANS): The NHRC has directed the Odisha government to provide Rs.60 lakh compensation to the next of kin of 40 people who died after consuming contaminated medicinal preparations containing alcohol in February The deaths took place in Odisha's Cuttack and Khurda districts. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Odisha chief secretary to send a compliance report along with proof of payment of monetary relief within six weeks, said a NHRC release on Friday. Upholding the recommendations of the Justice Naidu Commission which was constituted by the state government after the tragedy, the NHRC has directed the government to pay Rs.1.5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased. The state government had rejected the recommendation of the Justice Naidu Commission to pay compensation to the next of kin of each deceased. A total of 41 people had died due to consumption of contaminated medicinal preparations containing alcohol in the two districts. However, the judicial commission did not recommend monetary relief for the dependents of one person, who also died due to consumption of contaminated medicinal preparations, as he was one of the illicit vendors. Taking the observations of the judicial commission further, NHRC member Justice D. Murugesan observed that the enjoyment of basic human rights is the entitlement of every citizen and their protection is the obligation of every civilised state. The NHRC further observed that since it failed to do so in this case and the negligence of its officers caused the unfortunate death of human

6 beings, pecuniary compensation is an effective and suitable remedy for redressal of the established infringement of the fundamental right to life of a citizen by the public servants and the state is vicariously liable for their acts. The Justice Naidu Commission, after enquiry, had observed that "all the 41 people, who lost their lives, belong to the lower echelon of the society. They are daily labourers and perform strenuous work... considering their ability, generally they prefer intoxicants which are cheaper and stronger." "The duty of the state, if it does not support on prohibition, is to assure such privilege. It appears that the state machinery has failed to do so and the untoward incident occurred due to negligence or lackadaisical attitude of the officers of the local administration. In view of the aforesaid position, the Commission feels it would be just and proper to award a compensation of Rs.1.50 lakhs to the widow and dependents of each deceased person who succumbed after consuming contaminated medicinal preparation," said the Naidu Commission report.

7 Pay Rs 1.5 lakh to kin of each hooch victim, NHRC tells Odisha govt Odisha Sun Times Bureau New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, Mar 13: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today directed the Odisha government to pay Rs 1.5 lakh to the next of kin of each of the 40 persons who had died after consuming contaminated medicinal preparations containing alcohol in parts of Cuttack and Khurda districts in February, The Commission rejected the state government s decision not to pay any compensation overruling the recommendations of Justice AS Naidu Commission of Inquiry set up by it on August 29, Reiterating its earlier directive on payment of relief of Rs 1.5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased, as recommended by the Justice Naidu Commission, the NHRC rejected the stand of the state government and asked its chief secretary to send a compliance report along with proof of payment of monetary relief within six weeks, which is still awaited. In its report, the Justice Naidu Commission had observed that All the 41 persons, who lost their lives, belong to the lower echelosn of the society. They are daily labourers and perform strenuous work. Considering their ability, generally they prefer intoxicants which are cheaper and stronger. The duty of the state, if it does not support prohibition, is to assure such privilege. It appears that the state machinery has failed to do so and the untoward incident occurred due to negligence or lackadaisical attitude of the officers of the local administration. In view of the aforesaid position, the Commission feels it would be just and proper to award a compensation of Rs 1.5 lakhs to the widow and dependents of each deceased persons, who succumbed after consuming contaminated medicinal preparation. Taking the observations of the judicial commission further, NHRC member, Justice D Murugesan, observed that the enjoyment of the basic human rights is the

8 entitlement of every citizen and their protection is the obligation of every civilized state. The Commission further observed that since it failed to do so in this case and the negligence of its officers caused the unfortunate death of human beings, pecuniary compensation is an effective and suitable remedy for redressal of the established infringement of the fundamental right to life of a citizen by the public servants and the State is vicariously liable for their acts. The Commission took cognizance of a complaint, received on March 3, 2012, accompanying a newspaper report on February 9, 2012 from a human rights activist of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and called reports from the concerned authorities on the March 30, After several other reminders and notices, it was informed that the state government had appointed a Commission of Inquiry, headed by Justice AS Naidu, a retired Judge of the Odisha High Court, to ascertain the cause of the incident and recommend various steps to avoid recurrence of such incidents. The Commission submitted its report to the state government on August 1, The Commission agreed with the observations of Justice Naidu Commission and issued a show cause notice to the state government on the September 8, 2014 as to why monetary relief of Rs 1.5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased should not be paid. However, the state government, in its reply to the Commission on December 8, 2014, informed that the Cabinet deliberated upon the issue at a meeting on the July 17, 2014 and decided that in consonance with the previous practice, the compensation should not be given in this case.

9 Rs 1.5L relief for kin of 2012 hooch victims Posted in Metro by Arindam Ganguly On March 14, No comments Post News Network Cuttack, March 13: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Friday awarded Rs 1.5 lakh compensation to each of the families of 40 victims killed in the hooch tragedy which struck Khurda and Cuttack districts in 2012 sending shockwaves across the state. The state government will have to pay the total compensation amount, amounting to Rs 60 lakh, within six weeks as directed by the NHRC. The Justice AS Naidu Commission report probing the hooch tragedy in 2012, which had claimed 40 lives, was tabled in the state Assembly July 26, Earlier, the Naidu Commission had recommended the compensation amount to the state government which the latter failed to pay. The then state excise minister Damodar Rout had tabled the report in the Assembly. The Commission had recommended a hike in value-added tax (VAT) levied on medical preparations with high alcohol content to prevent such deaths. Among the other recommendations of the report were action against illicit liquor distilleries, steps to control production and import of methyl alcohol and denature spirit, strengthening of enforcement squads of the drug controller and strict vigil on the alcohol supplied to and consumed by pharmaceutical units. The report is learnt to have also suggested imposition of restrictions on production of medicines with more than 20 per cent alcohol content, formation of multi-department squads under the district collector to collect information on illicit liquor, checks on all homoeopathy medicine stores twice a month and closing down of unregistered medicine stores. The commission, in its report, had also suggested a toll-free number for complaints to be lodged and financial assistance for whistle-blowers. After the tragedy that made national headlines, then excise minister AU Singhdeo resigned from the state cabinet taking moral responsibility.

10 NHRC blow to Odisha govt on liquor tragedy damage 22:59 HRS IST Cuttack, Mar 13 (PTI) Rejecting the contention of Odisha government, National Human Rights Commission has directed the state government to pay compensation to next of kin of 40 people, who died after consuming contaminated medicinal preparations containing alcohol in villages of Cuttack and Khurda districts in February The NHRC direction came in accordance to the recommendations made by a judicial commission of enquiry headed by retired High Court judge Justice A S Naidu.

11 NHRC notice to Shivpuri district admin on rape case 20:27 HRS IST New Delhi, Mar 13 (PTI) The National Human Rights Commission today issued a notice to the district administration of Shivpuri district in Madhya Pradesh over an alleged rape of a two-year-old girl in the area. The incident was reported to have happened in Karera Police Station area on the March 8.

12 Compensation ordered for Odisha drug deaths IANS Bhubaneswar March 13, 2015 Last Updated at 20:34 IST The NHRC has directed the Odisha government to provide Rs.60 lakh compensation to the next of kin of 40 people who died after consuming contaminated medicinal preparations containing alcohol in February The deaths took place in Odisha's Cuttack and Khurda districts. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Odisha chief secretary to send a compliance report along with proof of payment of monetary relief within six weeks, said a NHRC release on Friday. Upholding the recommendations of the Justice Naidu Commission which was constituted by the state government after the tragedy, the NHRC has directed the government to pay Rs.1.5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased. The state government had rejected the recommendation of the Justice Naidu Commission to pay compensation to the next of kin of each deceased. A total of 41 people had died due to consumption of contaminated medicinal preparations containing alcohol in the two districts. However, the judicial commission did not recommend monetary relief for the dependents of one person, who also died due to consumption of contaminated medicinal preparations, as he was one of the illicit vendors. Taking the observations of the judicial commission further, NHRC member Justice D. Murugesan observed that the enjoyment of basic human rights is the entitlement of every citizen and their protection is the obligation of every civilised state. The NHRC further observed that since it failed to do so in this case and the negligence of its officers caused the unfortunate death of human beings, pecuniary compensation is an effective and suitable remedy for redressal of the established infringement of the fundamental right to life of a citizen by the public servants and the state is vicariously liable for their acts. The Justice Naidu Commission, after enquiry, had observed that "all the 41 people, who lost their lives, belong to the lower echelon of the society. They are daily labourers and perform strenuous work... considering their ability, generally they prefer intoxicants which are cheaper and stronger." "The duty of the state, if it does not support on prohibition, is to assure such privilege. It appears that the state machinery has failed to do so and the untoward incident occurred due to negligence or lackadaisical attitude of the officers of the local administration. In view of the aforesaid position, the Commission feels it would be just and proper to award a compensation of Rs.1.50 lakhs to the widow and dependents of each deceased person who succumbed after consuming contaminated medicinal preparation," said the Naidu Commission report.

13 NHRC orders Odisha to pay Rs 60 lakh relief in deaths due to consumption of spurious alcohol Narendra Ch 13 March, 2015 The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has not accepted the contention of the Odisha Government, which, setting aside the recommendations of a judicial commission set up by it, decided not to pay any compensation to the next of kin of 40 persons, who died after consuming contaminated medicinal preparations containing alcohol in parts of Cuttack and Khurda districts during February, Reiterating its earlier stand for payment of relief of Rs.1.5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased, as also recommended by the Justice Naidu Commission, the NHRC rejected the stand of the State Government and has asked its Chief Secretary to send a compliance report along with proof of payment of monetary relief within six weeks, which is still awaited. The Justice Naidu Commission, after enquiry, had observed that "all the 41 persons, who lost their lives, belong to the lower echelon of the society. They are daily labourers and perform strenuous work. Considering their ability, generally they prefer intoxicants which are cheaper and stronger. The duty of the State, if it does not support on prohibition, is to assure such privilege. It appears that the State machinery has failed to do so and the untoward incident occurred due to negligence or lackadaisical attitude of the officers of the local administration. In view of the aforesaid position, the Commission feels it would be just and proper to award a compensation of Rs.1.50 lakhs to the widow and dependents of each deceased persons who succumbed after consuming contaminated medicinal preparation." The judicial commission did not recommend monetary relief for the dependents of one person, who also died due to consumption of contaminated medicinal preparations, as he was one of the illicit vendors of the liquor.

14 Taking the observations of the judicial commission further, NHRC Member, Justice D. Murugesan, observed that the enjoyment of the basic human rights is the entitlement of every citizen and their protection is the obligation of every civilized State. The Commission further observed that since it failed to do so in this case and the negligence of its officers caused the unfortunate death of human beings, pecuniary compensation is an effective and suitable remedy for redressal of the established infringement of the fundamental right to life of a citizen by the public servants and the State is vicariously liable for their acts.

15 NHRC Rebuffs Government, Asks It to Pay Hooch Victims By Express News Service Published: 14th March :03 AM Last Updated: 14th March :03 AM BHUBANESWAR:In a major embarrassment to the State Government, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) rejected its decision against paying any compensation to the victims of 2012 Cuttack hooch tragedy and directed payment of Rs 1.5 lakh each to the next of the kin. The commission has directed the Chief Secretary to immediately make the payments and submit a compliance report with proof within six weeks. The State Government had set aside the recommendations of the Justice A S Naidu Commission for payment of relief to the families of persons, who had died of consuming the spurious alcohol-laced medicinal formulations in Cuttack and Khurda districts in February The Justice Naidu Commission had held that all the 41 victims belonged to the lower echelon of the society. The duty of the State, if it does not support on prohibition, is to assure such privilege. It appears that the State machinery has failed to do so and the untoward incident occurred due to negligence or lackadaisical attitude of the officers of the local administration, the Commission had observed while recommending Rs 1.5 lakh compensation each barring one, who was also one of the illicit vendors of the spurious formulation.

16 Taking the observations further, NHRC member, Justice D Murugesan, contended that since the Government failed to protect the lives of the people and negligence of its officers caused the unfortunate death of human beings, pecuniary compensation is an effective and suitable remedy for redressal of the established infringement of the fundamental right to life of a citizen by the public servants. The apex human rights body had taken cognisance of a complaint by a Varanasi-based rights activist in March The State Government formed the Justice Naidu Commission of Enquiry subsequently and submitted its report to NHRC in August Basing on the report, it had issued show-cause to the Government on September 8, 2014 on why the monetary relief should not be paid. However, on December 8, 2014, the State Government informed the Cabinet s decision of not paying compensation as per previous practice. Taking strong exception, the Commission has rejected the Government stand and awarded compensation to the tune of Rs 60 lakh for the kin of the victims.

17 THE TIMES OF INDIA Succour to 2012 hooch victims Debabrata Mohapatra, TNN Mar 14, 2015, 12.31AM IST BHUBANESWAR: Overriding the Odisha government's refusal, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday asked it to pay Rs 1.5 lakh each to next of kin of 40 persons, who died after consuming medicinal preparations, containing spurious alcohol, in Bhubaneswar, Khurda and Cuttack in The NHRC also sought a compliance report along with proof of payment of Rs 60 lakh relief within six weeks from the chief secretary. In July 2014, the state government had turned down the recommendation of Justice A S Naidu Commission for payment of compensation to the next of the kin of the deceased. The one-man commission, which probed the toxic medicine deaths, had recommended the state government to provide compensation of Rs1.5 lakh to widow and dependants of each deceased and Rs 30,000 each to two persons, who fell sick. The mishap, which was reported in the first week of February in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Khurda, had claimed 41 lives. The Naidu commission, however, recommended compensation for kin of 40 deceased, excluding one Baidhar Bhoi, who was one of the illicit liquor vendors. "The sate cabinet decided on July 17, 2014, that no compensation will be paid to the next of kin of those died in the tragedy as well as to those, who sustained infirmities," said the action taken report of the government along with the report of the Naidu commission of inquiry tabled in the assembly in July The NHRC took cognizance of a complaint, received on the March 3, 2012, from a human rights campaigner of Varanasi and sought reports from the state government on March 30 same year. "Last year the NHRC received the inquiry report of the Naidu commission and agreed with its observations. On September 8, 2014, the NHRC issued a show-cause notice to the state government, asking why monetary relief of Rs1.5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased should not be paid," said an NHRC officer. "On December 8, 2014, the state government informed the NHRC that the compensation should not be given," the officer added.

18 NHRC blow to Odisha on liquor tragedy demage CUTTACK 14 Mar 2015 Rejecting the contention of Odisha government, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the state government to pay compensation to next of kin of 40 people, who died after consuming contaminated medicinal preparations containing alcohol in villages of Cuttack and Khurda districts in February The NHRC direction came in accordance to the recommendations made by a judicial commission of enquiry headed by retired High Court Judge Justice A S Naidu. The commission had suggested in its report that an amount of Rs 1.5 lakh each be paid as damage to the families of 40 deceased although, 41 people had died in the tragedy. The commission was not inclined to pay damage to one deceased as he was one of the illicit vendors of the liquor. Although, the state government accepted the report of the Judicial Commission, it decided not to pay compensation to the families of the victims as suggested by the Commission. A human rights activist from Varanasi, however, approached the NHRC seeking a direction to Odisha government to pay the compensation. Adjudicating on the petition, the NHRC had issued a notice to the state government, which in return refused to pay the damage stating that the decision was taken by the state cabinet in consonance with previous practice. Rejecting the stand of the state government, the NHRC has asked the state Chief Secretary to send a compliance report along with payment of monetary relief within six weeks, said a release issued today.

19 NHRC asks Odisha to pay Rs 1.5 lakh to kin of each victim of 2012 hooch tragedy Saturday, March 14, 2015 Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the state government to provide an ex-gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh to the kin of each victim of 2012 hooch tragedy in which 40 persons from Cuttack and Khurda lost their life after consuming contaminated medicinal preparations containing alcohol. NHRC has asked the government to provide a total compensatory aid of Rs 60 lakh to the families of the victims with in a period of six weeks and submit a report on it. The NHRC direction came in accordance to the recommendations made by a judicial commission of enquiry headed by retired High Court judge Justice AS Naidu. The Commission had suggested in its report that an amount of Rs 1.5 lakh each to be paid to the family of 40 deceased although 41 persons had died in the tragedy. Although, the state government accepted the report of the Commission, it had decided not to pay compensation to the families of the victims.

20 Rs 1.5L relief for kin of 2012 hooch victims Posted in Metro by Arindam Ganguly On March 14, No comments Post News Network Cuttack, March 13: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Friday awarded Rs 1.5 lakh compensation to each of the families of 40 victims killed in the hooch tragedy which struck Khurda and Cuttack districts in 2012 sending shockwaves across the state. The state government will have to pay the total compensation amount, amounting to Rs 60 lakh, within six weeks as directed by the NHRC. The Justice AS Naidu Commission report probing the hooch tragedy in 2012, which had claimed 40 lives, was tabled in the state Assembly July 26, Earlier, the Naidu Commission had recommended the compensation amount to the state government which the latter failed to pay. The then state excise minister Damodar Rout had tabled the report in the Assembly. The Commission had recommended a hike in value-added tax (VAT) levied on medical preparations with high alcohol content to prevent such deaths. Among the other recommendations of the report were action against illicit liquor distilleries, steps to control production and import of methyl alcohol and denature spirit, strengthening of enforcement squads of the drug controller and strict vigil on the alcohol supplied to and consumed by pharmaceutical units. The report is learnt to have also suggested imposition of restrictions on production of medicines with more than 20 per cent alcohol content, formation of multi-department squads under the district collector to collect information on illicit liquor, checks on all homoeopathy medicine stores twice a month and closing down of unregistered medicine stores. The commission, in its report, had also suggested a toll-free number for complaints to be lodged and financial assistance for whistle-blowers. After the tragedy that made national headlines, then excise minister AU Singhdeo resigned from the state cabinet taking moral responsibility.

21 Politics and Nation NHRC blow to Odisha government on liquor tragedy damage By PTI 14 Mar, 2015, 12.35AM IST CUTTACK: Rejecting the contention of Odisha government, National Human Rights Commission has directed the state government to pay compensation to next of kin of 40 people, who died after consuming contaminated medicinal preparations containing alcohol in villages of Cuttack and Khurda districts in February The NHRC direction came in accordance to the recommendations made by a judicial commission of enquiry headed by retired High Court judge Justice A S Naidu. The commission had suggested in its report that an amount of Rs 1.5 lakh each be paid as damage to the families of 40 deceased although, 41 people had died in the tragedy. The commission was not inclined to pay damage to one deceased as he was one of the illicit vendors of the liquor. Although, the state government accepted the report of the Judicial Commission, it decided not to pay compensation to the families of the victims as suggested by the Commission. A human rights activist from Varanasi, however, approached the NHRC seeking a direction to Odisha government to pay the compensation. Adjudicating on the petition, the NHRC had issued a notice to the state government, which in return refused to pay the damage stating that the decision was taken by the state cabinet in consonance with previous practice. Rejecting the stand of the state government, the NHRC has asked the state Chief Secretary to send a compliance report along with payment of monetary relief within six weeks, said a release issued today.