The West Bengal government will use all its resources to give justice to the people and act against those responsible for the “killing” of so many people, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said here on Friday, after a fire ravaged a city hospital claiming several lives.
“It is a criminal offence; it is a crime,” she said.
All six directors of the AMRI Hospitals were arrested; the hospital's licence was cancelled; and the premises would be sealed once the rescue operations were over, she said. “The entire government is on a rescue operation.”
Blaming the hospital authorities for the tragedy, Ms. Banerjee, who also holds the Health portfolio, said a high-power committee comprising officials of the Fire Service, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the police was set up to inquire into the incident.
“The Fire Brigade had, in September, instructed the hospital authorities to take care [clear] of the basement [where the fire first broke out], and the authorities gave an undertaking that they would do so,” she pointed out. That obviously was not done.
Ms. Banerjee visited the hospital in the morning and used a microphone to appeal to the frantic crowd that gathered there not to come in the way of those involved in the rescue. She later went to the SSKM Hospital, where the bodies of the victims were taken.
Reacting strongly to complaints that the hospital staff prevented the local youth from helping in the rescue of the patients trapped in the building, she said those who did so were guilty of a criminal offence.
Implying that the authorities were negligent, she said: “Negligence is a crime.” “Whether it [negligence] was committed knowingly or unknowingly, the inquiry that has been ordered will reveal the actual facts.” Her decision to cancel the licence of the hospital and suspend all medicare there was in response to the public demand.
“People spend huge amounts of money, for which many have to sell their personal items, to get admitted to such a hospital. The outcome is so many deaths,” she regretted.
Ms. Banerjee said a financial assistance of Rs. 3 lakh would be given to each of the bereaved families and another Rs. 10,000 for conducting the funeral rites. A job would be given to one member of the family of each victim, if it so desired.
Governor M.K. Narayanan expressed “shock and grief” over the deaths.
AMRI fire mishap
Comments:
It is shocking to read the news about the devastating fire at the hospital. May the survivors get well soon and those who have lost their dear ones be blessed with fortitude to bear this loss and overcome the grief at the earliest. Any amount of compensation and condolence will be inadequate under the circumstances. I am really perturbed by the 'action' taken after every disaster. What happenned with the authorities who are responsible for giving permit to build after approving drawings; fire department, electricity department etc who are responsible for the initial approval and final inspection before occupation? I feel arresting the six >directors of the hospital is a knee jerk reaction. If the hospital has been in service for some time and handles so many patients, there should be no issue with the directors. Unless they have overruled any proposal for safety improvement, they cannot be held responsible for day to day running of the institution. Gov't officials are responsible.
It's a nerve-wracking incident and no importance has been given to the lives of patience by the hospital (except few staffs). My sincere condolances to everyone affected/ impacted by this incident. Let's step out of this and take a deeper look into the issue to find out the root cause. We have stricter rules for fire safty but there is no infrastructure for training and of copurse no strict enforcement. The staff didn't have a Standard operating procedure to act upon. And no training on what to do in such situations. What about the firemen? How long did it take for them to arrive at the wee hours of the day? Not early enough anyway! Are they trainined regularly? Anyone teaching them the importance of life irrespective of the position of the person in the society? The answer to all this is that as a nation, everyone of us need to involve ourselves in training in rescue operations and the government must train it's officials in effectively enforcing the laws of the land.
While it is personally terrible, for the first time, someone in power is saying that negligence is a crime. For the first time, someone will be held liable for a mass crime like this. For the first time, I start to believe that India is changing.
We, the fellow citizens are shocked and inconsolable at the loss of so many innocent lives. No other developing country on earth considers its citizens’ lives and wellbeing this insignificant. So many unbearable accidents happen in our country, it gets reported, the government issues some compensation and then everyone – of course except the ones affected by it – moves on. The Hindu, other media, general public in general have immense responsibility to get the problems addressed at its roots. Keep the government, bureaucrats accountable, if the existing laws are inadequate in preventing such an atrocity in the future, then lets pressure them pass ones that guarantees the safety as number one priority. 500 Million People under 35 years old, and we still let this happen in this timeless land – SHAME ON US. PLEASE, PLEASE, Let’s wake up and question our basic assumptions – we could be a much better nation – we can value our fellow citizens’ lives much more important.
It will be nice if Madam Banerjee also takes up fire safety in West Bengal. Whenever something happens politicians talk about arresting some one and canceling the license etc. Our legal system should routinely take of these criminal negligence by the concerned people. We also remember Madam Banerjees' party colleague refused to visit the site of railway accident when he was a minister of state for railways. We are not therefore sure whether the party understands the difficulties of the people. Therefore it is important for Madam Banerjee to ensure that fire safety norms are implemented across the state. Simple political rhetoric for winning elections will not lead to an administration that has foresight and development of safe a Bengal.
Its a sad news for every Indian. Hope every state puts strict regulations with regards to safety aspects in public places such as school, Hospital. This news would be in Headline for a day or two and then we move on with latest scam and so forth but at the bottom we should start considering to regulate ourself in the roads and public place. A tribute should be held for the brave Kerala nurses and everyone who put their lives to save our fellow humans. Lesson at the expense of loss should not be the norm. Private sector is crucial for the Nation but does need strict regulation. This is written not to pinpoint anybody but to understand and implement safety aspects to prevent any human suffering.
Your report says, "Implying that the authorities were negligent, she [Ms Mamata Banerjee] said: 'Negligence is a crime.'"
If you go to ANY laboratory in the country -- e.g., labs in schools, colleges, universities, research institutions, industry labs -- you would find the same negligence, CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE.
Everywhere, without exception, there is a frightening lack of safety awareness and safety measures. If you apply international standards of safety, almost all our labs, including the "prestigious" ones, will have to be closed down, and those in management positions will have to be prosecuted and punished. Believe me, even our ***TOPMOST RANKING SCIENTISTS need to be educated on safety matters. I AM SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.***
hang to death all the directors