Kancheti Vijaya W/O Late Venkateswara Rao, v. The Southern Power Distribution Company Limited,

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE T.SUNIL CHOWDARY WRIT PETITION No.46643 of 2016 ORDER:

This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of mandamus declaring the inaction of the respondents in not paying ex-gratia to the petitioner as per S.O.O (CGM-HRD) Rt.No.761, dated 26.10.2013 for the death of her husband due to electrocution, as illegal and arbitrary. 2.

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri N.Siva Reddy, learned Standing Counsel for the Andhra Pradesh State Power Distribution Company Limited.

3.

The petitioner is the wife of one Kancheti Venkateswara Rao. On 17.3.2015, Venkateswara Rao went to the agricultural field for wetting the crop and he died due to electrical short-circuit. The petitioner submitted a representation dated 29.7.2016 to the first respondent seeking ex-gratia in terms of the Circular in S.O.O (CGM-HRD) Rt.No.761, dated 26.10.2013. For one reason or the other, the first respondent did not dispose of the representation of the petitioner. The factum of death of Venkateswara Rao, due to electrocution, is not being denied by the respondents. 4.

At the time of hearing, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the first respondent issued S.O.O (CGM-HRD) Rt.No.761, dated 26.10.2013 with regard to payment of ex-gratia in case of fatal accidents to non-departmental persons and animals due to electrocution.

5.

Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, the respondents are hereby directed to consider the case of

the petitioner in the light of the above Circular order or any other order issued to that effect from time, and pass appropriate orders, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of three (3) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 6.

With the above direction, the writ petition is disposed of. Miscellaneous petitions, if any pending in this writ petition, shall stand closed.

________________________ T.SUNIL CHOWDARY, J April 17, 2018.

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