The Daily
Observer Volume 14 | Issue 1
Monday, November 24, 2014
Dad still awaits state compensation almost four months after son’s tragic borewell death Shruti Suresh Elizabeth Mani
EXCLUSIVE
Thimanna fell into the borewell on August 3, 2014
A grieving Hanumath after his son’s death.
Sulikeri, Bagalkot dist. – Parents of the boy who died after falling down an open borewell are still awaiting compensation promised by the state. Six-year-old Thimanna Hatti, the only son of Hanumanth and Sangavva, died four months ago after he fell into an open borewell on his father’s farmland. His death made national news. The state had politicians promised action and compensation in the wake of the tragic accident. In an exclusive interview with The Daily Observer, his grieving parents said they were still waiting for the state to pay what was promised. Hanumanth and Sangavva have two daughters, Aishwarya, 10, and Lakshmi, 12, but Thimanna was their only son. “He was the youngest of our children.” Thimanna’s mother, Sangavva, 26, said. “I was not around him the day he died. He had gone to the field to show the borewell to his cousin Anand. While showing it to him, he slipped and fell into it.” She was too upset to comment further. It was the day of Rakshabandhan, August 3, when Thimanna fell into the well. Help was sought by the district administration from the special rescue team from Hatti Gold mines. Oxygen was being supplied into the bore well to keep the boy alive. The rescue operations followed for eight days until the dead body was finally discovered lying at 150 feet. Aishwarya, the boy’s sister said: “I miss my brother. He died
on Rakshabandhan. A day meant to celebrate the bond between a brother and sister.” Her father, Hanumanth added, “She cries in the night holding a picture of Thimanna.” Despite making eight visits to the District Collectorate, the father claims that he has not received the compensation of 5 lakhs that was promised to him by the State Government. They say “It would be credited in four days. Prior to that he was assured that the amount had been sanctioned by the government and only the Chief Minister’s approval was required.” He pointed out. However Mr. P.A Meghannavar, Deputy Commisioner said: “I have already sent a letter to the government. They haven’t approved to sanction the money. Once the sanction is approved, the family will receive the money.” Hanumanth, who depends on agriculture for a living, was traumatized after the death of his only son. The borewell had been dug in his sugarcane farm land and was not being used. He had not closed the unused open well. Hanumanth said: “Minister S.R. Patil gave us Rs. 2 lakhs, G.T. Patil and Hullappa Meti gave Rs. 50,000 each. I haven’t received the Rs. 5 lakhs which was promised by the government. I have been talking to the District Collectorate, who assured that the money would be paid in four days as it has been sanctioned by the government.” He also pointed out that there were other issues such as low produce due to shortage of water. The canal from which he used to get water for his crops, has dried out. Hanumanth said that he had not spoken to the minister about problems regarding his land and water as he has not come to terms with his son’s death, adding that he was trying to deal with one thing at a time. Thimanna’s grandmother had tears in her eyes as she spoke of her grandson. “He used to be always playing around. After his death I don’t feel alive anymore,” she said. “My son has not got the money from the government. He is still trying to. The government might give us the money but my grandson is not going to come back to us,” she added. The Kerur police station in Bagalkot has filed a case against
The site of the borewell after being dug up for rescue.
Picture Courtesy : Shrinivas Nargund Hanumanth on 5th August, two days after Thimanna fell into the borewell, for not closing the unused borewell in his field. However no legal proceedings have been carried out against him. “The other open borewells in the surrounding area have been closed after the incident,” said Basappa Thimmanna Hatti. According to Rural Ministry of Karnataka, 9476 open bore wells were discovered in Bagalkot district alone, a total of 147780 open bore wells found in the entire state. All these bore wells, according to the officials of the Ministry, were closed, within a month following the incident.
Aishwarya, Thimanna’s sister.