Delhi BJP President hit a political self-goal on unfortunate fire-tragedy in Bawana (Delhi) on 20.01.2018 killing seventeen poor labourers, when he tried to defend the indefensible by declaring video-clipping a fake one in which Mayor of North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) was seen whispering with her associates saying that matter of factory-licensing may not be raised since this department rested with NDMC. Even NDMC Mayor never doubted genuineness of her much talked-about video-clipping, though she tried to do damage-control by twisting her statement later. However gravity of the accident required immediate visit to the site by Delhi Chief Minister and his ministers.
Even largest inspector-force involving so many departments cannot practically check illegal activities being carried out in factories that too in a situation where corruption is deep-rooted in the system. Only an effective fear-psychology developed amongst factory-owners and field-staff of various concerned departments against wrong-doing by giving them warning to comply with rules in a time-bound period may tend to solve the problem. After the warning-period is over, factories involved in illegal activities may be sealed with their goods confiscated. Field-staff of concerned departments may be terminated where illegal activities may be found in their area.
This incident also necessitates study of some better governance-system for Delhi whereby a single administrative body may replace present multiple authorities like Delhi Legislative Assembly, three municipal corporations, New Delhi Municipal Council, Cantonment Board, Delhi Development Authority etc..
MADHU AGRAWAL