The Collector’s advisory, which had come under close scrutiny soon after its issuance, had raised several pertinent questions at the time, particularly since local bodies ” including Municipal Councils and village panchayats ” had largely failed to address the growing menace of unsafe buildings for a variety of reasons.
Months later, critical questions continue to persist over whether the advisory has evoked any meaningful response from citizens by way of complaints or petitions to civic bodies and BDO offices seeking action against dangerous structures.
The issue assumes significance against the backdrop of repeated admissions by local bodies, including the Margao Municipal Council, that they are constrained in initiating action against unsafe and ageing buildings due to a lack of resources and funds required to carry out structural stability assessments.
Against this backdrop, questions are now being raised over whether citizens have at all approached Municipal Councils or BDO offices with representations seeking intervention against unsafe buildings in urban as well as rural areas across South Goa district.
Observers say the lack of visible follow-up action after the Collector’s advisory has only reinforced concerns over the absence of a coordinated mechanism to identify, assess and act against dilapidated structures before they pose a threat to public safety.
What Section 33 of Disaster
Management Act, 2005 says
*Section 33 of Disaster Management Act, 2005, 'the District Authority may by order require any officer or any Department at the district level or any local authority to take such measures for the prevention or mitigation of disaster, or to effectively respond to it, as may be necessary, and such officer or department shall be bound to carry out such order".
*Sub section (k) of Section 34 of Disaster Management Act, 2005, states that "construct temporary bridges or other necessary structures and demolish structure which may be hazardous to public or aggravate the effect of the disaster"
*As per instructions laid down under Disaster Management Act, 2005, the District Disaster Management Authorities is empowered to take necessary preventive measures and remedial action for the purpose of assisting, protecting or providing relief to the community, in response to any threatening disaster situation or disaster and also authorized to give necessary directions to concerned authorities and local authorities at the district level to avert disaster risks, including structural collapses.
