Congress, NCP target Fadnavis govt over Mumbai hospital fire

Opposition Congress and NCP Tuesday targeted the BJP-led government in Maharashtra over the massive fire in a city-based hospital in which eight people were killed and over 170 injured.

The two parties demanded strict action against those responsible for the tragedy at the ESIC Kamgar Hospital in suburban Andheri Monday.

NCP spokesman Nawab Malik said a case under IPC section (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) should be filed against the director general of ESIC Corporation and he must be immediately arrest.

There was no need for an inquiry as assured by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and direct action should be taken against officials concerned, Malik said.

Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam visited the fire-ravaged hospital.

He said the quality of material used in constructing the hospital building was not up to the mark which has caused this accident.

"Such contractors must be blacklisted and action must be taken against them. The government must fix responsibility and book the culprits," Nirupam said.

The hospital was handed over to the Central government in 2009 when the Congress was in power in Maharashtra, he said.

"The Central government wanted to demolish the hospital in order to construct a new building with a medical college. National Projects Construction Corporation (NPCC), a government firm, was given this job by the Central government.

"But the fact that the hospital building has been left untouched since the past 10 years is extremely shameful," he said.

Nirupam said the number of fire-related accidents across Mumbai has increased dramatically in the past 5-7 years.

"The main reason behind this rise is the fact that fire rules, regulations and norms are not followed and implemented properly," the Congress leader said.

"Chief Minister Fadnavis has announced a probe into the matter. However, this entire case smells of a racket," he said.