Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena Blames Rau IAS Coaching Centre Deaths on Neglect of Basic Maintenance

New Delhi:

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Sunday instructed the divisional commissioner to present a report on the incident at a coaching centre in Rajinder Nagar where three civil service aspirants were killed due to rain-induced flooding in the basement.

He mentioned that the incident indicates “criminal neglect” and absence of “basic maintenance” by concerned agencies.

Mr Saxena expressed deep sorrow over the death of the civil services aspirants. “That this should occur in the Capital of India is extremely unfortunate & unacceptable,” he stated in a post on X.

“Reportedly 7 other citizens have passed away due to electrocution in the recent days. My heartfelt sympathies to the families of those who have lost their lives. You are in my thoughts and prayers,” he mentioned.

Mr Saxena stated that he has been closely observing the situation and has supervised the rescue operations by Delhi Police and the fire department personally.

“These incidents clearly point towards criminal neglect & failure of basic maintenance & administration by concerned agencies & departments,” he mentioned in another post.

“Drainage in the city and related infrastructure, as well as necessary efforts and endeavors to address these issues, seem to have collapsed,” Mr Saxena said.

He added that the incident reflects the “larger malaise of misgovernance that Delhi has been subjected to during the last decade or so”.

The responsibility of coaching institutions and landlords in not ensuring basic safety of students, who pay substantial fees and rents, away from their homes needs to be investigated, the LG stated.

“What has been happening is unforgivable and such issues can no longer be ignored. I have requested the Divisional Commissioner to submit a report, covering every aspect of the tragic incident by Tuesday,” he added.