NHRC seeks reports from Maharashtra, Labour ministry over hospital blaze

NHRC seeks reports from Maharashtra, Labour ministry over hospital blaze

Mysuru: The grief-struck relatives of those who succumbed to death during treatment at a hospital after Friday

Mumbai: Rescue operations underway at the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital where a fire broke out killing six persons on in Mumbai, Dec 17, 2018. The number of fatalities is likely to increase further as several injured persons have been admitted to various hospitals in serious condition even as the firemen battled the conflagration to bring it under control after three hours. The fire, caused by a suspected short-circuit, was first noticed in the upper floors of the five-st

Mumbai: Rescue operations underway at the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital where a fire broke out killing six persons on in Mumbai, Dec 17, 2018. The number of fatalities is likely to increase further as several injured persons have been admitted to various hospitals in serious condition even as the firemen battled the conflagration to bring it under control after three hours. The fire, caused by a suspected short-circuit, was first noticed in the upper floors of the five-st

New Delhi, Dec 18 (IANS) The National Human Rights Commission on Tuesday sought a report from the Maharashtra government on the death of eight people in a fire at a hospital in Mumbai, while not ruling out negligence by the hospital administration.

Taking cognisance of the Monday blaze at the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital in Andheri East, the Commission issued a notice to the Chief Secretary calling for a detailed report including the outcome of the probe "reportedly mentioned by the city Mayor".

"The Commission would like to know whether the building has a valid 'No Objection Certificate' from the Fire Department and whether the fire audit was conducted. A report from the DGP, Maharashtra, is also expected to intimate about registration of an FIR, if any, and status thereof," the NHRC said in a statement.

Observing that "the possibility of negligence by the hospital administration cannot be ruled out in the incident", the Commission has also sought a report from the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment under whose jurisdiction the hospital falls.

In its notice to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, the NHRC called for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks, including action taken against the guilty and steps taken/ proposed to be taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur.

"The Commission has also observed that the patients, who generally approach the ESIC hospitals, belong to economically weaker sections, employed with various private sector units, who cannot afford treatment at private hospitals," it added.

Reports say over 150 people were also injured in the incident, of which 25 are critical.

--IANS

and/prs

(This story was auto-published from a syndicated feed. No part of the story has been edited by The Quint.)