Meter reader’s murder: Rs16 Lakh compensation for family

Berhampur: A day after an electricity meter reader was hacked to death by a consumer over alleged inflated bill in Ganjam district, TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL) announced Rs 16 lakh compensation to the family of the deceased.

Laxmi Narayan Tripathy (34), the electricity meter reader, was killed by the consumer on Monday after an argument over the inflated bill at Kupati in Tarsingh in Ganjam. The accused, Govind Sethi, has been arrested.

Describing the incident as tragic, TPSODL said, “we are firmly committed to stand in support of Tripathy's family during this challenging period. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. We have instructed the agency to pay compensation of Rs 16 lakh for his family. Additionally, it was also instructed to ensure employment for the legal heir of the deceased with the associate agency.”The incident took place when Tripathy went to the village to read electricity meters and serve bills to consumers. When he handed over the bill at the house of the accused, Sethi became enraged as his bill amount was more than what he had expected.

An argument ensued between the two and in a fit of rage, Sethi attacked Tripathy with a sharp weapon. The meter reader sustained fatal injuries on his neck and head and died instantly.

Earlier, the members of Odisha Bijuli Karmachari Mahasangha staged a protest in front of the main gate of the TPSODL Corporate office in Berhampur.