Kendrapara (Odisha), Feb 10 (Reporter) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha Chief Secretary to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for providing compensation and support to the deceased and injured families due to lightning and thunderstorm in the State. Acting on a petition filed by Human Rights Activist Radhakanta Tripathy, the NHRC passed the order on last Friday. In its order, the NHRC observed that “Tripathy had suggested several steps in detail to reduce the fatalities and injuries from lightning. The complainant also stressed to formulate an SOP for providing compensation and support to the victims’ families. Since, the Odisha government has been working to reduce the fatalities, the Commission is of the view that suggestions submitted by the complainant, may be considered by the Government of Odisha, for further policy farming in this regard.” The petitioner raised the issue of death due to lightning and thunderstorm and said incidents of death due to lightning and thunderbolt have been reported from Kendrapara ,Balasore, Bhadrak and Dhenkanal districts. He however regretted that the government has not yet made any action plan to minimize the lightning related deaths, he added. Pursuant to the notice of the NHRC, the Odisha government in its reply submitted that Village level Street Play /Folk Dance on Lightning Awareness, Flex of banner on Dos' and Don'ts in Odia language are being taken up for raising awareness on Lightning and Thunderstorm. School and College level Awareness Programme on Lightning and thunderstorm, Awareness meeting with SHG Member, and local Youth Club/Association/NGO/CBO are going on. Lightning and Thunderstorm awareness meeting with ASHA and Anganwadi Workers have been made to provide early warning on Lightning and Thunderstorm. “Lightning” per se has been recognized as Natural Calamity u/s 3(1) of the Odisha Relief Code and has been categorized as “State Specific Disaster” by the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA). Tripathy in his rejoinder, suggested several steps in detail to reduce the fatalities and injuries from lightning on steps like Public awareness and educations. The petitioner further suggested to formulate a clear and effective SOP for providing compensation and support to the victims’ families...////...