After wall collapse, blame game begins

BJP-ruled municipal corporations have failed in their duty: UD Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely Revenue department to be blamed for tragedy: Standing Committee chairperson Mehak Singh

Hours after a wall collapse in Dallupura, East Delhi, killed five children on Wednesday, the Delhi government said the municipal corporations were responsible for checking illegal construction in the city. The government claimed that the BJP-ruled municipal corporations had failed in their duty towards the residents.

Delhi Urban Development Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh for the family of the children who died. The families of the injured will be given Rs 50,000.

A magisterial inquiry into the collapse has been ordered. The divisional commissioner (MCD) will conduct an inquiry to probe the negligence at their part.

"Prevention of illegal construction is the primarily responsibility of the local bodies and the BJP-ruled municipal corporations have failed to do their duty towards the citizens. Government will ensure that such incidents are not repeated," Lovely said.

On the other hand, chairperson of the Standing Committee, Mehak Singh, blamed the Delhi government claiming that it was "their irresponsible behaviour" that led to the incident. Municipal officials said Dallupura falls under the jurisdiction of the Revenue department of Delhi government.

"The lackadaisical behaviour of the Revenue department is to be blamed for the tragedy, since the wall was more than four feet in height. according to the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954, it is the responsibility of area SDM to accord permission to erect boundary wall above four feet," Singh said.

Singh also demanded that Minister of Revenue and Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly resign on moral grounds.

Local residents said they had noticed cracks in the under-construction wall a week ago and had informed the contractor, but their complaint was ignored.

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