Lapses allowed to continue with impunity: Hardeep Singh Puri on Delhi fire

Union Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri hit out at the AAP government on Sunday over the death of 43 people in a fire in Delhi's Anaj Mandi area, alleging the incident points to lapses that were allowed to continue with "impunity".

The lanes were narrow and congested with wires and cables dangling dangerously, he said in a statement, adding the building flouted safety and fire norms.

The AAP government, however, termed Puri's statement "shocking and false" and claimed that it was aimed at hiding "corruption and inefficiency" of the BJP-led civic bodies in Delhi.

"Delhi Fire Services had clearly given Sections 25, 27, & 44 of the DFS Act 2010 a go by which stipulate that a building of this height and occupancy level needed fire safety and fire prevention measures. But no known action was taken by Delhi Fire Services," the HUA ministry said in the statement.

In a series of tweets, Puri said, "The devastating fire this morning points to the lapses that were allowed to continue with impunity. It is not that the problems are not known. They were visible to the naked eye and amply corroborated by locals and witnesses."