The tussle between the bureaucracy and the elected AAP government was on display again on Sunday as news of six children dying in a fire in a neonatal hospital in the city broke out. Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj Sunday said that he tried to contact the secretary SB Deepak Kumar through the day but did not receive a response. He also alleged that even though the incident took place at 11.30 pm Saturday, health department officials did not inform him. “After finding out about the fire through media updates in the morning, I tried calling the secretary and sent him several messages and an email as well but I did not get a response. I finally visited the incident spot alone,” he said. “In cases of such an emergency, where lives of many newborn babies were at stake, this negligence is unpardonable. In any other state of India, this would have invited strong disciplinary proceedings against the officers concerned,” he added. Kumar did not respond to calls or messages despite repeated attempts. Speaking to The Indian Express, Bharadwaj said that the problem was not new. “There is no accountability. If the officers know they do not have to follow the orders of the minister, they will not feel the need to respond. This is the problem that the new system in Delhi has created. This is not the first time that something like this has happened. In the past, I have asked for files and those requests have been ignored or notes sent by me have not been received. Divisional Commissioner Ashwani Kumar, meanwhile, ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. He also directed the district Magistrate (Shahdara)/Chairman, District Disaster Management Authority to ascertain the circumstances that led to the fire tragedy, assign responsibility on those involved, and recommend measures to prevent such incidents in the future. Bharadwaj, meanwhile, ordered that compensation be granted to the kin of the victims soon and that the health department ensure best treatment to the injured newborns in the best of private hospitals under the Farishtey Scheme. Earlier in the day, Lieutenant Governor (L-G) V K Saxena also directed Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to “institute inquiry” into the incident. Sources in the health department said that problems are faced regularly when it comes to establishments running with old buildings, especially where only residential use was allowed earlier, as they are not built for commercial activity. “Theses small clinics or even restaurants run out of old residential buildings, which have only one entry and exit point and where the staircases are narrow. These are all fire hazards but as part of the Master Plan some establishments like clinics are allowed in residential areas. There are mandates but they are not followed,” an official said. Bharadwaj said that the lack of any fire-mitigation measures will be investigated. “Some people have complained that oxygen cylinders were being refilled and sold from the ground floor. This allegation will also be looked into. There should have been measures like smoke detectors and sprinklers in facilities such as these,” he said.
