Background and Incident
- Location: RAU’s IAS Study Circle, Old Rajendra Nagar, New Delhi
- Tragic Event: Deaths of four UPSC aspirants — Navin, Nilesh, Tanya, and Shreya
- Cause: Waterlogging and subsequent short-circuiting in the basement
Aspirants’ Concerns
- Safety and Regulatory Oversight:
- Incident highlights severe negligence by multiple authorities.
- Concerns about the safety of coaching centers, libraries, and other establishments in basements.
- The foreseeability and preventability of such incidents through proper measures.
Demands and Actions
- Strict and Immediate Action:
- Against MCD officials, electricity board officials, and RAU’s IAS authorities.
- Delhi Police has already arrested Abhishek Gupta (owner) and Deshpal Singh (coordinator) of RAU’s IAS Study Circle.
- Compensation:
- Demand for at least Rs 5 crore compensation for each family of the deceased.
- Ban on Basement Coaching Centers:
- Complete ban on the operation of coaching centres in basement areas in and around Delhi.
- Periodic Inspections:
- Regular inspections of libraries, coaching institutes, gyms, PG accommodations, and rental rooms.
- Key areas for inspection: Karol Bagh, Old Rajendra Nagar, Patel Nagar, Shadipur, Jhandewallan, and Rajendra Place.
- Ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Improvement in Infrastructure:
- Development and maintenance of a robust drainage system to prevent waterlogging.
- Improvement in the electricity supply system.
- Removal of open wires and proper organization of electrical infrastructure to ensure safety.
- Affordable Coaching Fees:
- Regulation to ensure coaching fees are affordable for students from all economic backgrounds.
Conclusion
The UPSC aspirants are urging for comprehensive reforms to ensure the safety and affordability of coaching facilities. They seek the intervention of the Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, to address these issues and prevent such tragedies in the future. The focus is on holding authorities accountable, improving infrastructure, and ensuring safe and affordable education for all aspirants.
