Officials of HRD ministry inspect school of planning after fire in hostel

NEWDELHI: Days after a fire broke out at a room in the girl’s hostel at the School of Planning and Architecture’s ITO campus, officials from Union ministry of HRD inspected the institute and asked administration to draw up an action plan.

Sources said that the ministry has pulled up the institute and asked them to look into the issues raised by the students. Students went on strike, after a fire broke out in girls hostel due to short circuit on Thursday.

“A team had gone and inspected the place and an action plan is being prepared to resolve the issue and all the grievances of the students. The institute has assured the ministry that the issue will be resolved within a few days. The registrar of the institute is also in Delhi and has taken up the issue with the students,” said a senior human resource development (HRD) ministry official.

Students accused the authorities of negligence and alleged lack of infrastructure that led to Thursday’s fire. Earlier, the dean, planning and development, VK Paul, said that the authorities were assessing the damage and may offer each student ₹60,000 as compensation.

When asked about the inspection by the HRD ministry officials, Paul said the institute is taking all the steps on its own and has not been directed by the ministry.

Students later staged a protest against the alleged poorly maintained facilities.