NEW DELHI: Lieutenant-Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Monday suggested inducting former Agniveers to address staff shortages in the Delhi Fire Service during a Disaster Management Authority meeting held after the Malviya Nagar tragedy that killed 22 people.
He said Agniveers could be used to fill operational vacancies and help strengthen the department quickly.
The meeting also reviewed plans to increase the number of fire stations to improve emergency response. Sandhu suggested that the MCD allow citizens to upload photographs of illegal construction through its 311 app and portal.
The meeting was attended by CM Rekha Gupta, Home Minister Ashish Sood, PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh and senior officials. Discussions focused on action against illegal buildings, misuse of fire licences and preparedness steps.
On fire safety enforcement following the Malviya Nagar hotel fire, the L-G said drives against illegal buildings and licence violations should be carried out carefully so that ordinary citizens are not harassed. However, he stressed that illegal construction and unauthorised land plotting must be stopped quickly.
After being informed that the fire department had not issued a single notice so far, Sandhu expressed displeasure and directed the principal director of the Delhi Fire Service to take immediate action and report to the offices of the L-G, CM and the home minister.
Special teams comprising DMs, DCPs, MCD and DFS officers have been told to submit reports regularly. The L-G warned that negligence to perform duties would affect appraisals.
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Monsoon preparedness
The L-G on Monday reviewed monsoon preparedness and called for extra caution and strict implementation of desilting works to stop waterlogging during rainy season.