Delayed govt response proved fatal, timely help could have saved lives: Akhilesh

Lucknow: Slamming BJP govt over the death of 15 youngsters in the Aliganj blaze, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said the delayed response added to the death toll and timely intervention could have helped save lives.“Some of the children trapped in the building called their parents asking for help, while some called the fire department. But help did not reach them in time. So many families have lost their children. A youngster’s death is the biggest tragedy that can strike a family,” Akhilesh said.The former UP CM said govt must not dismiss the incident as just another fire accident to have hit Lucknow.“There have been quite a few fire tragedies that have struck Lucknow in the recent past.

Be it the massive fire that destroyed hutments (in Aliganj), another fire at Hotel Levana on Hazratganj, or the one that happened at another hotel in Charbagh. No lessons were learned,” Akhilesh said.The SP demanded that govt must verify the construction plan and the NOC details of commercial buildings to locate the lapses.“In Aliganj, commercial activities are rampant in residential areas, but govt has failed to check such violations.

Who is responsible for it?” he asked.Akhilesh said some people (in govt) shed crocodile tears for the cameras, but that will not help the victims’ families. He said the govt has announced Rs 5 lakh ex gratia, which was not enough.“Govt must extend more financial relief as most of those who have died were young people who would have got into one profession or the other in the future and secured a living for themselves and their families,” he said.‘200 kg silver bricks donated to Ram Temple missing’Akhilesh said silver bricks weighing 200 kg that were donated to the Ram Temple by a group of people have gone missing. He cited claims of World Sindhi Service Sangam International president Raju Manwani, where he maintained that 200 kg of silver worth Rs 1.5 crore was donated to the Ram Temple in 2021, but no receipt was given to them till date. Manwani said donors are seeking transparency and will await the findings of the ongoing SIT inquiry.