Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who visited the building collapse site on Thursday, said the government was considering setting up units of 100 well-trained men in each revenue division on the lines of the State Disaster Response Force to tackle such disasters.
Speaking to presspersons, Mr. Kumaraswamy said he had discussed this with M.N. Reddi, Director-General of Police, Fire & Emergency Services and SDRF. He said, prima facie, poor quality of work may have been the cause of the disaster and action would be initiated against those responsible for substandard work.
Responding to a demand by senior BJP leader Jagadish Shettar for a judicial probe, he said the government was capable of conducting a speedy and fair probe and bring the culprits to book. The regional commissioner of Belagavi division has already ordered a magisterial inquiry into the disaster.
Mr. Kumaraswamy said that he had authorised the Chief Secretary to take appropriate decisions on compensation. “Since the model code of conduct is in force, I am unable to announce the quantum of compensation to be paid to the aggrieved parties. I have asked the Chief Secretary to do justice to the victims,” he added.
The Chief Minister visited the civil hospital where over 40 survivors are being treated. He promised them all possible medical help.
Meanwhile, Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner M.N. Nagaraj said tthe chief engineer of the building, Vivek Pawar, prime accused in the case, was nabbed from a lodge in Kolhapur. He had been absconding since the incident. Other accused are still at large and special teams have been formed to nab them, he said.
