NHRC asks Centre to look into Master Plan

NEWDELHI: A day after 43 persons were killed in a fire in Delhi’s Filmistan area, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) asked the Centre to form a committee of experts to look into violation of norms by building owners, shopkeepers, individuals or firms undertaking commercial activities in residential areas by encroaching on public roads in alleged connivance with public officials of different agencies.

Taking suo motu cognizance of the incident, the NHRC also issued notices to the chief secretary of Delhi, the police commissioner and the north Delhi municipal corporation commissioner, calling for a detailed report on action taken against errant officials.

The NHRC stated in a press statement, “The committee of the government of India must look into the Delhi Master Plan-2021 and take all adequate and appropriate measures by examining all issues of unauthorised construction, misuse of rules or norms and use of factory area for residential purposes thoroughly, and submit its report with their suggestions to streamline all congested areas within Delhi to make it safer and worth living for citizens. The response (of the urban development ministry) is expected within six weeks.”

The Commission observed that “it seems the authorities have not learnt any lessons from the tragic incidents which took place in the recent past and an incident like the Anaj Mandi fire catastrophe was waiting to happen.”

“Apparently, no one seems to bother about rules/norms which are to be followed by building owners, authorities of municipal corporations of Delhi, the local administration, police and the fire safety authorities. The painful incident could have been avoided and precious human lives could have been saved, had the norms not been violated by authorities responsible for maintaining fire safety of each of the buildings in congested places, as well as the owner of the building who had shown scant regards to the rule of law,” the NHRC statement added.

“Loss of lives, at such magnitude, of people from disadvantaged groups also causes a serious threat to the safety and security of life and livelihood of daily wagers in unorganised sectors, since they do not have any secure place of living within the city,” it further added.