Vadodara building collapse: What is there to investigate? File FIR against builders and officials, say NGOs

By Our Representative
In a sharply worded letter, a group of Vadodara-based NGOs has asked state urban development secretary GR Aloriya, Vadodara district collector Vinod Rao and Vadodara police commissioner Satish Sharma, to take “immediate steps” against the builders responsible for constructing the collapsed buildings at Ataladara, leading to 11 deaths, as also officials who granted permission for its construction. “Immediate step must be taken to file an FIR instead of wasting time on inquiry commission set up on the collapse”, the NGOs have said.
“Collapse of the buildings on August 28 itself is evidence enough to suggest corruption took place while granting permission to use the buildings”, the letter said, adding, “It is unfortunate politics is now being played around the collapse. Any ordinary person can say that the construction was weak. To reach this conclusion one does not require an expert committee to investigate. Criminal negligence and corruption of some of some the powerful persons needs to be nailed.”
The NGOs demanded that action must be initiated against Vadodara Urban Development Authority’s (VUDA’s ) former chairman and current chairman, Naranbhai Patel , for negligence, and criminal proceedings must begin against the builders, the architects, the structural engineers and all those who allowed the buildings to be allowed to be used. “Immediately FIR must be filed under the IPC sections 304, 337 and 338”, the NGOs said, adding, “A case must immediately begin in a fast track court, and sentence pronounced in three months.” The twin buildings were constructed in 2002.

“Files giving permission to the builder by VUDA officials should be immediately seized as evidence. Sensitive data should be quickly scanned from all the files, and its results must be placed on the government's website so that it is not possible to manipulate facts”, the NGOs said, adding, “People affected by the incident should be provided with alternative accommodation, so that they do not suffer"
Even as demanding that the interim compensation must be paid within 48 hours, the letter said, VUDA must immediately carry out a survey of such buildings which are in a dilapidated state, and they must be demolished. The letter has been signed by representatives of Jyoti Karmachari Mandal, Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti, Radical Socialist, Sahiyar, and Vadodara Kamdar Union.

At least eleven people died and five injured, while several people got trapped underneath debris after two buildings came crashing down in the wee hours of August 28 at Vadodara. The incident took place between 4.30 am and 4.45 am, when one of the buildings constructed by the Vadodara Urban Development Authorities in Ataladara collapsed.

While the residents of a nearby building moved out after the first building collapse, a second building too collapsed within an hour's time. Personnel from the local administration, National Disaster Relief Force and the Fire Department handled the rescue operations. Cabinet minister Nitin Patel announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the deceased. The buildings housed 14 families each. The state government formed a high level Inquiry Commission, headed by retired Chief Secretary Dr. Manjula Subramaniam.
Vadodara Police Commissioner Satish Sharma stated that police is looking into the cause of the collapse and trying to ascertain whether administrative or criminal negligence had caused it. "We are also examining the quality of construction materials used in the building and trace the contractors, who made this building," he added. Chief Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "Heard about the collapse of two buildings in Vadodara. Rescue operations have begun."

Comments

70,000 migrants, sold on Canadian dream, face uncertain future: Canada reinvents the xenophobic wheel

By Saurav Sarkar* Bikram Singh is running out of time on his post-study work visa in Canada. Singh is one of about 70,000 migrants who were sold on the Canadian dream of eventually making the country their home but now face an uncertain future with their work permits set to expire by December 2024. They came from places like India, China, and the Philippines, and sold their land and belongings in their home countries, took out loans, or made other enormous commitments to get themselves to Canada.

Kerala government data implicates the Covid vaccines for excess deaths

By Bhaskaran Raman* On 03 Dec 2024, Mr Unnikrishnan of the Indian Express had written an article titled: “Kerala govt data busts vaccine death myth; no rise in mortality post-Covid”. It claims “no significant change in the death rate in the 35-44 age group between 2019 and 2023”. However, the claim is obviously wrong, even to a casual observer, as per the same data which the article presents, as explained below.

PM-JUGA: Support to states and gram sabhas for the FRA implementation and preparation and execution of CFR management plan

By Dr. Manohar Chauhan* (Over the period, under 275(1), Ministry of Tribal Affairs has provided fund to the states for FRA implementation. Besides, some states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra allocated special fund for FRA implementation. Now PM-JUDA under “Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan(DAJGUA) lunched by Prime Minister on 2nd October 2024 will not only be the major source of funding from MoTA to the States/UTs, but also will be the major support to the Gram sabha for the preparation and execution of CFR management Plan).

Defeat of martial law: Has the decisive moment for change come in South Korea?

By Steven Lee Late at night on December 3, soldiers stormed into South Korea’s National Assembly in armored vehicles and combat helicopters. Assembly staff desperately blocked their assault with fire extinguishers and barricades. South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol had just declared martial law to “ eliminate ‘anti-state’ forces .”

Operation Kagar represents Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism: Resistance continues

By Harsh Thakor Operation Kagar represents the Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism, which claims to embody the struggles and aspirations of Adivasis. Criminalized by the state, the Maoists have been portrayed as a threat, with Operation Kagar deploying strategies that jeopardize their activities. This operation weaves together economic, cultural, and political motives, allegedly with drone attacks on Adivasi homes.

How Amit Shah's statement on Ambedkar reflects frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion, empowerment

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* Dr. B.R. Ambedkar remains the liberator and emancipator of India’s oppressed communities. However, attempts to box him between two Brahmanical political parties betray a superficial and self-serving understanding of his legacy. The statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha was highly objectionable, reflecting the frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion and empowerment.

Balod tech fest tests students’ interest in innovative ideas in the fields of science, engineering, start-ups

By Our Representative A techno fest scheduled on December 20 and 21 in Balod district of Chhattisgarh will test the innovative ideas of school students in the fields of science, engineering and start-ups. For this two-day fest organised at Maheswari Bhawan of the district, a total of 824 models made by students were initially registered. Out of those, a selection committee chose 200 models from several schools spread over five blocks of Balod. These will be on display on these two days from 10am to 4.30pm. Out of many ideas, one of the most interesting models is a smart glove which can be used by children with impairments and disabilities. For those who cannot speak at all or have speech difficulty, they can ask for help from caregivers by pressing their fingers on the glove after wearing it. This will attract attention.

Local businessman subjected to physical assault, verbal abuse: Demand for accountability, justice

By Kirity Roy* On October 9, 2024, a disturbing incident of harassment and abuse took place in the Swarupnagar Block of North 24 Parganas district, involving a local businessman, Hasanur Gazi, who was subjected to physical assault, verbal abuse, and religious discrimination by a Border Security Force (BSF) constable. The incident, which occurred at the Hakimpur Checkpost, has raised serious concerns about the safety and dignity of citizens living in border areas, especially those belonging to religious minorities.

Affable but arrogant, embodying contradictions, Raj Kapoor's legacy will endure as long as Bollywood exists

By Harsh Thakor* December 14 marks the birth centenary of Raj Kapoor, a filmmaker and visionary who revolutionized Bollywood, elevating it to new heights by exploring uncharted emotional and social territories. Kapoor wasn’t just a filmmaker; he was a storyteller who touched the souls of the masses and reflected the pulse of post-partition India with unparalleled depth. His films acted as a unifying force in a divided nation, transcending social and cultural boundaries.

Suspicious death of Dalit laborer in BSF custody: A call for justice

By Kirity Roy* The tragic and suspicious death of Mr. Babai Barui, a Dalit daily wage laborer from North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, has raised serious concerns regarding custodial violence and the violation of fundamental rights. Mr. Barui, son of Sukharanjan Barui, resided in Pallishree Sangsad, Bongaon, and was arrested by the Border Security Force (BSF) on November 9, 2024, near the Angrail border on allegations of smuggling. The very next day, he was found dead under mysterious circumstances, with visible injuries that point toward possible custodial violence.

Search This Blog