Deaths that took place in Ganjam district of Odisha in which nine people were killed and about 25 were injured, few severely, has not been able to trigger an iota of sensibility among the departments concerned.
The incident took place when a bus came in contact with live wires.
Even a day has not passed, in another incident near Bhadrak, two bikers had a providential escape from the jaws of death when their bike came in contact with a 11 KV live wire. However, the bike was reduced to charcoal.
Accidents due to live wire contact, either lying on the surfaces or sagging over roads or passages, killing innocents, such instances are galore. But, what pathetically misses out is the accountability which neither is fixed nor any department is ready to take.
It can well be said that, the energy department in the state has become one of the most erratic wings of the government in all its activities relating to public service.
Once the incident takes place, there can be seen an upsurge in blame games in between departments. Hardly any of these people who man the departments show an ounce of regret, let alone owning responsibility.
Be it human or animal, the electricity department has grown to be a monstrous graveyard killing man and animal at an unfailing regularity.
Taking a look at to what extent this department has lowered its level of vigil and concern can be assessed from the incidents of deaths of wild elephants due to electrocution.
An estimate shows that, in last 20 years, more than 150 elephants have died due to electrocution and, ironically, some of the incidents were proved to be intentional.
In fact, two things come together to create a situation that create the ground both for departmental neglect and malice like spreading electrified fences by even people.
High level meetings are the usual culminations after such tragic happenings. In 2010 a high level expert committee led by a Conservator of Forest was formed and it had its findings tabled before the state. And nobody knows what happened to that report, either it has been consumed by dust in the racks or remains buried under the smugness of oral obituaries!
