The Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government on Friday took a big decision in the aftermath of the Malviya Nagar fire that claimed the lives of 21 people, and said the officials will now face consequences for illegal construction in Delhi. If found guilty, recoveries will be made from the officials' salaries, pensions, and assets, the Delhi government said. “The DMA Act, 2005, will be invoked and the officials found guilty could face imprisonment,” the Delhi government said after the meeting.
Delhi Minister Ashish Sood said that the Chief Minister's team has taken major decisions in consultation with all relevant agencies, regarding illegal construction and violations of regulations. To ensure coordinated action among all agencies operating in Delhi, the District Magistrate (DM) has been empowered to make decisions binding on all departments.
Structures in Delhi exceeding 'Ground plus 5' floors to be sealed: Ashish Sood
“A decision has been taken to invoke the DMA Act; violations entail a penalty of up to two years of imprisonment and a committee formed following the Malviya Nagar incident has been directed to seal any hotels or guest houses in their area that are found to be operating illegally. Structures in Delhi exceeding 'Ground plus 5' floors are to be sealed,” he said.
He said that under the Revenue Recovery Act of 1819, the recovery will be made from government officials in the event of damage to an individual's or government property and the recovery will be effected from their salary, pension, or assets.
Rekha Gupta orders special fire safety audit of hotels
On Thursday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta ordered a special fire safety audit of hotels, commercial establishments and other public buildings in the city. She also said that strict action would be taken against those found responsible wherever negligence or violations of rules are found, according to a statement issued by the chief minister's office (CMO).
The directions followed a day after a devastating blaze at a hotel in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar area claimed 21 lives, including 12 foreign nationals.The fire broke out on Wednesday morning at Flourish Stay B&B in Hauz Rani, Malviya Nagar, and quickly spread through the five-floor narrow building operating without a fire NOC with only one entry-exit point, officials said.
The chief minister on Thursday also chaired a meeting with Cabinet ministers and senior government officials, and asked them to take strict action against unauthorised constructions, illegal operations, and violations of fire safety standards across the city.
Building owners found guilty of unauthorised construction will face stringent action: rekha Gupta
"Any building owner, concerned official, or others found responsible for unauthorised construction will face stringent legal action. Negligence at any level will not be tolerated," CM Rekha Gupta said.
"In many buildings, information about emergency exits and fire safety systems is not properly communicated to the occupants," she said, ordering a detailed probe into the Malviya Nagar incident and a special fire safety audit of hotels, commercial establishments and other public buildings across the capital.
Apart from this, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Friday launched demolition and sealing of unauthorised buildings in South Delhi. The action comes two days after a devastating blaze at a bed-and-breakfast facility in Hauz Rani area killed 21 people, including several foreign nationals.
According to officials, a demolition exercise has been initiated against unauthorised buildings and establishments in Sultanpur area near MG Road in Khanpur in MCD's South zone. Similar action is likely to be taken up against such structures in Chirag Delhi area.
A demolition drive is also being conducted in some parts of Malviya Nagar. According to officials, more than 40 properties have been identified for sealing in Saidulajab area over violation of building bye-laws. Besides, at least 12 bed-and-breakfast (B&B) facilities have been in flagged in Hauz Rani and Malviya Nagar areas.
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