Official apathy � Asking for disasters

As the famous two-storey City Light Hotel on Rashtrapati Road in Secunderabad came crashing around 6.30 am on Monday, at least 12 people were killed and scores critically injured. It has once again exposed apathy of the civic administration to the dilapidated status of several structures in the State capital. It shocks the people no end when the officials say they have gone by the exterior decoration of the building and found no fault with it. One shudders to think how many such structures have escaped the attention of the experts at the civic agency GHMC

CM orders criminal case against owner

Hyderabad: Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy ordered a probe into the collapse of the City Light Hotel building and directed the officials to arrange Rs 7.5 lakhs each as compensation to the kin of those died in City Life hotel collapse incident from its owner.

He reviewed the incident at a high level meeting on Monday, directed the Chief Secretary P K Mohanty and other senior officials of departments concerned including the Labour Commissioner to arrange compensation. This is apart from the 'Apadbandhu' assistance and GHMC compensation of Rs 1 lakh to each to the next of kin of the deceased in the tragedy.

Kiran asked the police officials to register criminal cases against the owner of the building. He also asked the officials to find out if there was any negligence on the part of GHMC. The Chief Minister also urged the health officials to provide the best treatment to all the injured and critical victims, and as per the wishes of their family members may be shifted to suitable hospitals for better treatment.

Visits victims at hospital Earlier, Kiran also visited the place of incident and enquired with the Ministers and officials. He later visited the Gandhi Hospital and consoled the injured. He asked the doctors to provide best treatment and extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished speedy recovery of the injured.

He also asked the Commissioner, GHMC to personally supervise the rescue and relief operations and the Medical Health Officials to continuously monitor the health of the injured. The officials informed that 11 people were brought dead to the hospital and one succumbed to injuries in the hospital. Of the 12, six people were workers of the Hotel and remaining customers.

About 10 of the 23 injured were treated as out patients and 13 are under treatment. A team of doctors are in place and additional expert doctors are also brought from Osmania Hospital to Gandhi Hospital. The Chief Minister asked the officials to ensure that such incidents do not recur. "The officials should evolve a suitable "Comprehensive Building Structural Stability Policy" to regulate such buildings in consultation with experts, Structural Engineers, where public gatherings are more," he said in the meeting.

The Commissioner, GHMC informed that 307 buildings were identified as old and weak structurally and visually weak, by JNTU as third party checking agency.

Naidu demands judicial probe

Lashes out at authorities for negligence

Hyderabad: Expressing shock over the death of 12 persons in City Light building collapse in Secunderabad, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday demanded the government to order judicial probe into the whole incident.

Naidu visited the site soon after the hotel collapse and enquired with the police and municipal officials on the possible reasons for the tragic incident. Speaking to newsmen, he alleged that laxity on part of the government and local authorities was the main reason behind the incident. Such a 'man- made disaster' could have been averted had the municipal authorities took proper steps well in advance.

Criticising the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy for not taking action against those officials responsible, he also demanded that the government provide Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia to each family of the victims and extend best medical treatment to all injured in corporate hospitals.

SHRC seeks report from by sept 11

• Cops begin probe, register case under 304-A
• Rs 6.5 lakh compensation for kin of deceased

Hyderabad: Responding to a petition filed before the State Human Rights Commission, its member Kakumanu Pedaperi Reddy directed GHMC?CEO?(Administration), Hyderabad District Collector and City Police Commissioner to submit a comprehensive report on the City Light Hotel building collapse by September 11.

Expressing anger over the indifferent attitude of the officials concerned, he opined that the mishap occurred due to lack of monitoring over the structural soundness of the old structure. Similar incidents took place in the past also. Arun Kumar, an advocate lodged a petition, seeking action against the officials responsible for the negligence and resultant tragedy.

Investigation officer named Mahankali Police registered a case under section 304-A (Causing death by negligence) against the owner of the hotel. They started investigation into the case (no 126/13) under the supervision of Inspector K Satyanarayana who said that the culprits behind the collapse would be punished under appropriate provision of the law. The government has announced that ACP Mahendar has been appointed as the Investigation Officer (IO)

Compensation announced Labour Commissioner Dr Ashok announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to kin of the victims as per the Labour compensation Act. GHMC offered financial support of Rs 1 lakh to the family members of deceased. Meanwhile, Rs 50,000 will be given under Apadbandhu scheme. On the other hand, the injured and partially disabled will get Rs 2 lakh, stated Hyderabad Collector in a press release. The authorities also said they will work to get compensation from the hotel management also.