CM meets fire victims, announces Rs 10 lakh ex gratia for kin of deceased
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday visited a hospital in Saket to meet people injured in the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy and announced financial assistance for the victims and their families, while ordering a detailed review of fire safety standards across the Capital. The Chief Minister said families of those who died in the incident would receive an ex gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh each, while people who suffered serious injuries would be given financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh.
During her visit to the hospital, the Chief Minister met injured patients undergoing treatment and spoke to their relatives about the condition of those admitted after the fire. She also held discussions with doctors and hospital authorities regarding the treatment being provided to the victims.
The Chief Minister stated that some patients are in critical condition, while others have been placed on ventilator support. The affected individuals include citizens from various countries-including Bangladesh, Nepal, Cameroon, and Libya-in addition to those from India.
The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that there was no delay or deficiency in medical care and said all injured persons must receive the best possible treatment. She instructed authorities to continuously monitor the condition of patients and provide all required support to affected families. “The Delhi Government stands firmly with every affected family during this difficult time,” she said while interacting with patients and relatives at the hospital.
Officials briefed the Chief Minister about the treatment status of individual patients and ongoing medical arrangements. The Chief Minister assured families that the government would provide every possible assistance for the recovery and rehabilitation of the victims.
The government also announced arrangements for transporting the mortal remains of deceased victims to their native places. The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure dignified transportation for families residing outside Delhi, including those living in other states or abroad.
During the hospital visit, the Chief Minister was informed about rescue efforts carried out during the fire incident. According to officials and family members present there, local residents, hotel staff, police personnel, and volunteers risked their lives to save people trapped inside the building.
Several injured persons were reportedly given emergency CPR and first aid at the scene before being shifted to hospitals. The Chief Minister praised the role of citizens and emergency responders who participated in rescue operations during the crisis. She directed the administration to identify individuals who made significant contributions during the rescue efforts so they could be formally recognised and honoured by the government.
At the same time, the Chief Minister expressed concern over alleged lapses in safety arrangements at the site of the fire. She said preliminary information pointed to serious shortcomings related to emergency preparedness and fire safety systems.
The Chief Minister said there appeared to be gaps in awareness regarding emergency exits and fire response mechanisms in certain buildings. She ordered a detailed investigation into the incident and instructed concerned departments to conduct a special audit of fire safety standards in hotels, commercial establishments, and other public buildings across Delhi.
The Chief Minister said strict action would be taken wherever negligence or violation of safety rules was established during the investigation. Describing the incident as deeply painful, the Chief Minister offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. She also wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
Officials said the Delhi Government would continue to monitor relief, treatment, and rehabilitation measures linked to the incident. The administration has been directed to ensure that affected families receive all necessary assistance without delay.
The fire tragedy has once again raised concerns over compliance with fire safety regulations in commercial and public buildings in the national capital. The government’s planned safety audit is expected to cover emergency systems, evacuation arrangements, and adherence to prescribed fire norms across various establishments in Delhi.
