Karnataka   

Government to amend laws related to high-rises In The Legislature

BANGALORE: The Leader of the House in the Legislative Council V.S. Acharya has said that the Government will bring in amendments to the existing laws and bylaws pertaining to high-rise buildings and mandatory safety measures to be observed by them for preventing fire or any kind of accident in future. Responding to a call attention moved by M.C. Nanaiah of the Janata Dal (Secular) on the Carlton Towers fire that claimed nine lives, Dr. Acharya told the House on Monday that the owners of the building had obtained clearance from the authorities in compliance with the National Building Code on July27, 1999. However, during spot inspection after the tragedy, certain violations and illegal structures on the premises were found. The Fire and Emergency Services vehicles had a tough time entering the building owing to storing of steel pipes, poles and large hoardings in the setback area, hampering rescue operations. The fire alarm and sprinkler system were then non-functional and corridors leading to the staircases were blocked at the second, third and fourth floors, he said.

Assuring the House that the Government was open to suggestions by members, Dr. Acharya said that owners should conduct periodic inspection of their high–rise buildings and ensure that all equipment was in order.

He called upon the people not to gather at accident spots or at hospital premises. The onlookers at Carlton Towers had made it difficult for fire tenders, backup units, the police and doctors to access the spot on time, Dr. Acharya said.

Terming the fire accident was the result of lapses on officials in the Bangalore Development Authority and Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, Mr. Nanaiah said even “corrupt public representatives” were equally responsible for the ghastly incident.

Giving an account of his personal visit to the accident site, Mr. Nanaiah said that people caught in the sixth and seventh floor could have reached the terrace had the doors leading to the staircase not been locked. Supported by the Leader of the Opposition, Motamma, V.R. Sudarshan, M.P. Nadagouda (JD-U) and others, Mr. Nanaiah suggested that the Government constitute a broad-based committee comprising officials and public representatives with vision and integrity for inspecting all high –rise buildings in the city.

Earlier, the Opposition and the ruling members were divided over the legal provisions related to the adjournment motion. Such a divide resulted in the entire House debating for nearly 45 minutes on which issue has to be taken up for debate — the Carlton Towers fire or the State’s power woes.

The problem started when Mr. Nanaiah sought to move an adjournment motion on the Carlton Towers fire. He said he was open to discussion on the issue.Then leader of the Opposition, Motamma, informed the chairman that she too wanted to move an adjournment motion on the State’s power problems. Several ruling members pointed out that House could discuss only one adjournment motion plea a day, while the Opposition countered this.When the ruling and the Opposition members stuck to their stand, the chairman adjourned the House for lunch.

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