New Delhi: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday invoked the Disaster Management Act (DMA), 2005, following a devastating fire at a south Delhi hotel that claimed 21 lives. The hotel was allegedly built in violation of norms, according to news agency PTI.
Strict Action Against Negligent Officials
The decision was taken during a meeting with officials from multiple departments. The chief minister stated that the Delhi government will recover losses from officials found guilty of corruption and invoke the DMA Act, 2005. 'Officials found negligent or involved in corruption will now face action under various provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which carries a punishment of up to two years' imprisonment along with substantial fines,' she said.
She added that action would be initiated against officials whose negligence or collusion allows illegal constructions, fire safety violations, or other hazardous activities to persist.
Home Minister's Remarks
Home Minister Ashish Sood earlier announced that the Delhi government would invoke the Act to enforce two years' imprisonment for violations of orders and complicity. 'Under this act, there are provisions to recover losses from officers' salary, pension, even their properties,' he noted.
According to a statement, Gupta said, 'Under the Revenue Recovery Act, 1890, losses suffered by the government will be recovered from the salaries, pensions and properties of guilty officials. In addition, the bank accounts and movable and immovable assets of builders, owners and colonisers will be frozen and attached.'
Empowering District Magistrates
To reduce the multiplicity of authorities, the government has decided to empower district magistrates (DMs). Sood said DMs have been directed to identify building violations, adding that any building exceeding ground-plus-four floors would be sealed immediately.
'District Magistrates will soon have extensive authority to fix accountability of officials working in any department within their administrative districts, initiate disciplinary action directly, order registration of FIRs, approve or cancel leave, and take immediate action against officers who fail to perform their duties,' he stated.
Daily Reports and Inspection Committees
The chief minister has directed DMs to submit daily reports on the removal of illegal constructions across the city. Joint inspection committees headed by DMs have been constituted under the new orders. These committees will include officials from the police, fire service, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
'They will conduct intensive inspections of all guest houses, hotels, restaurants, banquet halls and other commercial establishments operating in their respective areas and submit reports within one week,' Sood said.
New Restrictions on Buildings
Gupta stated that buildings without valid completion certificates would not be granted new water or electricity connections or no-objection certificates. She also requested a detailed list, along with photographs, of all ongoing illegal constructions and the officials responsible for them, as per PTI.
She added that adverse remarks would be recorded in the Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs) of officials found negligent, impacting their future careers. The chief minister specifically directed authorities to focus on buildings exceeding 17.5 metres in height.
