Rajender Nagar tragedy: Delhi minister Atishi promises strict action against officials, announces plans for coaching institute regulation act

TOI City Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jul 31, 2024, 10:53 IST

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Delhi Minister Atishi announced that the government would introduce a law to regulate coaching centres following a tragedy that killed three UPSC aspirants due to waterlogging caused by illegal encroachments. Illegal operations in basements and blocked drainage systems were identified as contributors. The Junior Engineer responsible was terminated, and the Assistant Engineer was suspended. A magisterial report is awaited in six days to identify accountable officials. The government has started sealing basements and issuing notices to coaching centres, and a committee will be formed to develop regulations. Fee reductions will also be requested from the centres.

Rajender Nagar tragedy: Delhi minister Atishi promises strict action against officials, announces plans for coaching institute regulation act

NEW DELHI: Delhi minister Atishi announced on Wednesday that the state government will introduce a legislation to regulate coaching centres in response to recent tragedy in Old Rajender Nagar area in the capital that killed 3 UPSC aspirants.

Atishi explained that the severe waterlogging in the area was due to encroachments by coaching centres, which blocked the drainage system.She further revealed that many coaching centres were illegally operating in basements and running libraries there, a situation which contributed to the severe waterlogging.

The Junior Engineer who was responsible for the drain there and to ensure there was no encroachment happening, that Junior Engineer was permanently terminated from MCD. The Assistant Engineer was suspended magisterial report will come in 6 days and those who will be found responsible, strict action will be taken against them...the coaching centres which had encroached upon drains, those illegal encroachments have been bulldozed...the coaching centres that are running classes in the basement and set up libraries, strict action is being taken against them since last 3 days.

AAP minister Atishi

"A magisterial probe report will come in six days, and guilty officials will not be spared. Also, the Delhi government will bring a new law to regulate coaching centres," Atishi said in a press conference.
In addition to sealing the basements of 30 coaching centres, the Delhi government has issued notices to 200 institutes following the incident, the minister said.
The probe will also determine which officials failed to address previous complaints about waterlogging, the minister added.
The government will also set up a committee consisting officials and students from coaching hubs to develop appropriate regulations for these institutions, she said.
Aitish said that the government will ask the coaching centres to decrease the fee they charge from aspirants.

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