RS MPs seek steps to prevent fire mishaps

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 9

Seeking measures to prevent recurrence of fire accidents in the country, the Rajya Sabha members today mourned the death of 43 persons in the blaze that took place in the Anaj Madi area of the national capital yesterday.

As the House met for the day, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu mentioned the fire incident and said the loss of lives was very unfortunate and painful. He said lack of adequate safety measures was a matter of concern.

Members stood in silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls. Vijay Goel of the BJP said lessons from the past were yet to be learnt and many areas in Delhi were sitting on powder keg. Thousands of illegal buildings house factories with practically no safety measures, he added.

“A magisterial inquiry and Rs 10 lakh compensation will not help,” Goel said, adding that half of the buildings in Chandni Chowk area in old Delhi were dilapidated. “We have to focus on how to prevent recurrence of such incidents,” he said.

Sanjay Singh of the AAP said those killed in the fire in the four-storey building at Anaj Mandi were labourers, who had come to earn a livelihood in the national capital. The building, where more than a 100 workers were sleeping, had no ventilation, he added.

All authorities concerned — Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Government and DDA — should sit down and chalk out steps on safety, the AAP member said.