Union Urban Development and Housing and Poverty Alleviation Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu has sought a law under which officials responsible for illegal and unsafe constructions can be booked for negligence.
Addressing a conclave of Ministers of Urban Development from States and UTs here on Thursday, Mr. Naidu said incidents of building collapses leading to loss of lives and property, were a sad commentary on urban planning.
He said there should be a deliberation on how to incorporate provisions in the law wherein building inspectors, local town planners, area in-charge and other officials could be made responsible and accountable if something happens during their tenure. He, however, said officials should not be held responsible if such incidents happen after their tenure.
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Referring to the issue of illegal construction and encroachment, Mr. Naidu said, “Whenever there is a building collapse incident, media highlights it, then there is concern and some good, well-meaning, dynamic officer comes in and orders demolitions. After this there is hue and cry, again the focus of media, then the exercise is stopped.”
He said there should be transparency on building projects and details should be readily available on all sites of construction. “We must provide online opportunity to the people to lodge complaints. And well-meaning people should be rewarded,” he said.