New Delhi, 09 November (H.S.): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has targeted the Delhi government over the deaths of seven workers in the Chawri Bazar building collapse, demanding adequate compensation for the victims’ families and strict action against those responsible for the incident.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters on Monday, Burari MLA Sanjeev Jha and fellow AAP legislator Kuldeep Kumar called for an impartial investigation into the incident and accountability for the alleged lapses that led to the loss of seven lives.

Sanjeev Jha said that following the building collapse in Saket, the government had assured that buildings across Delhi would be audited and appropriate action would be taken against dilapidated structures. He alleged that had the promised structural audits and necessary measures been carried out at the time, the deaths of seven workers in Chawri Bazar might have been prevented.

Questioning the implementation of the building audit exercise, Jha alleged that no concrete action was being taken on the ground in the name of structural inspections.

The AAP leader further accused the government of remaining preoccupied with Diwali celebrations while seven workers had lost their lives. He alleged that programmes were being organised at ministers’ residences and the entire Cabinet was busy celebrating, while no one appeared concerned about the families of the workers who had died in the collapse.

Jha also claimed that the rescue operation continued for three days, even as government officials remained occupied with Diwali functions.

Appealing to the Chief Minister, he urged her to set aside time from celebrations and official engagements to ensure that the bereaved families receive adequate compensation. He also demanded stringent action against those responsible for the tragedy.

Raising the issue of stubble burning, Jha said that even if the claims made by Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra were accepted, the figures indicated that incidents of stubble burning had declined from approximately 72,000 to between 1,500 and 2,000.

He claimed that incidents of stubble burning had fallen by nearly 90 per cent during the AAP government’s tenure. Instead of appreciating farmers for this reduction, he alleged, they were being unfairly singled out and criticised.

The AAP leaders demanded an impartial probe into the building collapse, strict action against officials found negligent and others responsible, and the prompt disbursement of adequate compensation to the families of the seven deceased workers.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar