Demolition of twin towers also demolishes ego of builders, authorities: Homebuyers' body FPCE
New Delhi (PTI): Homebuyers' body FPCE on Sunday termed the demolition of Supertech's twin towers in Noida as a huge victory for flat owners and said it has also demolished the ego of builders and development authorities.
The Forum For People's Collective Efforts (FPCE), an umbrella body of homebuyers that played an important role in enactment and implementation of real estate law RERA, added that the responsibility of development authorities should have been fixed in this case.
In August last year, the Supreme Court had ordered demolition of the 40-storey twin towers (Apex and Ceyane), which were part of Supertech's Emerald Court project in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. There were over 900 flats in these two towers with height of around 100 metres.
"My first reaction when the demolition happened is that it was the demolition of not just the building but also the builders' and the authorities' ego and complacency that they could do as they please," FPCE President Abhay Upadhyay told PTI.
Upadhyay, who is also member of the Central Advisory Committee- RERA, said it is certainly a huge victory for homebuyers.
The FPCE president said the episode is also indicative of the changing builder-buyer equation as it shows that money and muscle power of builders can no longer deter homebuyers and they are ready for long-drawn legal battles.
"Unfortunately, the Supreme Court has failed to identify and fix accountability on those involved in the (Noida) authority and also the behind-the-scenes actors influencing them at the behest of the builders.
"It would have been better if the court had done so or ordered a CBI enquiry to unearth all those people involved since any departmental enquiry might try to cover up and save those at fault," Upadhyay said.
He, however, felt that such demolitions lead to wastage of financial resources and also have an implications on the environment and public heath.
"So, exemplary punishment to all concerned can only act as a permanent deterrent against such malpractices and illegal constructions in India," Upadhyay said.
The nearly 100-metre-tall Apex and Ceyane towers -- taller than Delhi's iconic Qutub Minar -- were demolished at 2.30 pm on Sunday in pursuance of the Supreme Court order that found their construction within Emerald Court premises in violation of norms.
More than 3,700 kgs of explosives were used to implode the Apex and Ceyane towers.
Over 5,000 residents of Emerald Court and ATS Village -- the two closest societies to the twin towers -- were evacuated on Sunday morning. Some 2,700 of their vehicles were also removed from the premises.
On August 31 last year, the Supreme Court said the entire amount of homebuyers has to be refunded with 12 per cent interest from the time of the booking and the Residents Welfare Association be paid Rs 2 crore for the harassment caused due to the construction of the twin towers.
A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah said the April 11, 2014 verdict of the Allahabad high court, which directed demolition of twin towers, does not deserve any interference.
The court had said the construction of Supertech's twin 40-storey towers having 915 flats and 21 shops was done in collusion with Noida Authority and the high court was correct in holding that view.
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UP govt sacks five doctors, orders action against 16 health officials for negligence
Lucknow (PTI): Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Brajesh Pathak on Friday ordered strict action against several health officials, including the dismissal of five doctors from service, over alleged negligence, dereliction of duty and irregularities in the health department.
According to an official statement issued by his office, five medical officers were dismissed for remaining absent from duty for a prolonged period without information and for staying away from medical work.
Those dismissed include Dr Alaknanda of the district hospital in Gorakhpur, Dr Ramji Bhardwaj posted under the Kushinagar Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Saurabh Singh posted under the Balrampur CMO, Dr Viklesh Kumar Sharma of CHC Jagdishpur in Amethi and Dr Monica Verma of CHC Dibiyapur in Auraiya, it stated.
The government also ordered departmental disciplinary proceedings against 16 medical officers, including Ambedkar Nagar CMO Dr Sanjay Kumar Shaival and Deputy CMO Dr Sanjay Verma, over alleged irregularities in the registration and renewal process of private hospitals, nursing homes and ultrasound centres, it added.
According to the statement, "the two officers were found guilty of deliberately violating government norms, misusing their positions and showing negligence in clearing files for personal interests."
"A preliminary inquiry conducted by a three-member committee, including an Additional District Magistrate, reportedly confirmed several complaints against them, following which Pathak ordered strict action."
Departmental proceedings were also ordered against Hardoi Medical Superintendent Dr Manoj Kumar Singh for allegedly failing to act against unauthorised private hospitals operating in the district and neglecting official responsibilities.
The health department has also sought an explanation from the Hardoi CMO over assigning senior-level responsibilities to a junior doctor despite the availability of senior officers in the district.
The statement said action has also been initiated against several doctors in separate cases related to alleged negligence in treatment, administrative lapses, improper medico-legal examinations and misconduct with colleagues.
Among them are Dr Shameem Akhtar of Prayagraj, doctors and a pharmacist posted at CHC Lambhua in Sultanpur, and two doctors at the district hospital in Mathura accused of negligence in preparing medico-legal reports in an assault case.
Departmental proceedings were also ordered against doctors posted in Balrampur, Varanasi, Badaun, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sambhal and other districts for alleged negligence in medical duties.
In another case, Dr Rituj Agrawal, an associate professor in the orthopaedics department of the government medical college in Badaun, faces disciplinary action over allegations of abusing and misbehaving with a woman doctor and another colleague.
Two doctors -- Dr Pratibha Yadav of Bahraich and Dr Rakesh Singh of Mathura -- have been awarded censure punishment in separate negligence-related cases.
The statement further said the deputation of Dr Aditya Pandey, who was posted with the State Health Agency under the cashless treatment scheme for government employees, has been terminated with immediate effect over alleged misconduct and inappropriate behaviour with a colleague.
He has been sent back to his original posting in Raebareli and departmental action has also been ordered, it added.
The government has also ordered withholding of salary increments in several cases. Dr Lalmani, a gynaecologist currently posted in Hamirpur, has been penalised with permanent stoppage of three increments and censure punishment over allegations of extortion from patients and misbehaviour during an earlier posting in Azamgarh.
Four increments of Dr Santosh Singh of Balrampur and two increments of Dr Nisha Bundela of Jhansi have also been withheld.
Action has also been directed against Dr Pawan Sahu, an orthopaedic surgeon at the trauma centre in Moth, Jhansi, after allegations of private practice against him were found to be true, the statement added.
