NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Friday that the Delhi government will hold officials accountable for corruption, invoking the Disaster Management Act of 2005. This comes in the wake of a tragic fire that claimed 21 lives at a hotel in South Delhi, which was constructed with blatant disregard for safety regulations.
The decision was made during a meeting Gupta held with various departments.
“Officials who exhibit negligence or engage in corrupt practices will now face penalties under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. This includes potential imprisonment of up to two years and significant fines,” the chief minister stated.
Gupta added that actions would be taken against staff whose negligence or collusion fosters illegal constructions, fire safety breaches, or other dangerous activities.
Home Minister Ashish Sood previously indicated that the government would apply the DMA Act to enforce two-year imprisonment for breaches of orders and complicity.
“The act includes provisions for recovering losses from officials through their salaries, pensions, or even their assets,” he noted.
According to Gupta, “Under the Revenue Recovery Act of 1890, losses incurred by the government will be reclaimed from the salaries, pensions, and assets of the culpable officials. Moreover, bank accounts and properties of builders and owners will be frozen and attached.”
Additionally, to reduce the number of overlapping authorities in the capital, the government has decided to empower district magistrates.
Sood mentioned that district magistrates are tasked with identifying structural violations. Any building exceeding four floors will be sealed immediately.
“District magistrates will be granted significant authority to hold officials accountable across all departments, initiate disciplinary actions, authorize or revoke leave, and take swift measures against those neglecting their responsibilities,” he said.
The chief minister has also instructed DMs to provide daily updates on the demolition of illegal structures within the city.
Joint inspection committees led by DMs will be formed under the new directives.
These committees will consist of officers from police, fire services, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
“They will conduct thorough inspections of hotels, guest houses, banquet halls, and other commercial establishments in their jurisdictions and submit findings within a week,” Sood added.
Gupta further noted that no new water or electricity connections, nor no-objection certificates, will be issued for buildings lacking valid completion certificates.
She also requested a comprehensive list, complete with photographs, of ongoing illegal constructions and the officials responsible for them.
She emphasized that poor performance will be recorded in the APARs (Annual Performance Appraisal Reports) of negligent officials, impacting their future career prospects.
Accountability will not solely be focused on junior staff, but will also extend to senior officials, she affirmed.
“Immediate action must be taken to halt any construction in violation of regulations, including filing FIRs and initiating legal proceedings against builders and developers without delay,” Gupta instructed.
The chief minister specifically directed inspections of buildings exceeding 17.5 meters in height.
