When will accidents like this cease?: Jagan

YSR Congress Party chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday came down heavily on the Government and the railway department, after the tragic Bangalore-Nanded fire accident in Ananthapur.

Speaking to reporters from the accident site, Jagan remembered two similar accidents that had occurred prior to this one on May 21, and July 30, 2012. "Now after a gap of 14 to 15 months, a similar accident is taking place," he said.
The 41-year-old said that every time there is an accident the Government comes forward and says they it will constitute a commission to look into the incident. " It just washes its hands off by constituting a commission and announcing ex-gratia but has no concern about the passengers and takes no measures to boost their confidence. But I want to ask them why the reports of these commissions are never made public, and what are the actions that have been taken We demand that the Centre should own up the responsibility for the accident and tell the reasons for the mishap and also show to the nation that they have taken corrective measures," Jagan questioned  
After every accident the Government announce ex gratia and makes statements like trains are in dire need of fire extinguishers, or short circuit was the reason behind the accident. "When will we have trains running in operative mode that will inspire confidence in passengers?," he questioned.
He added, "In my own state, I just mentioned three accidents that took place in 14 months."
He further pointed out that as opposition members, YSRCP, was trying to, through media,  put pressure on Government, and asking the latter to come forward with the technical and maintenance reports.

“What is needed is the Government must give confidence to the passengers. It is not the knee jerk reaction of announcing ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh, admitting the injured to hospitals and setting up of commissions. It is not the amount for ex-gratia be it Rs 5 lakhs or Rs 15 lakhs it is safety measures that need to be implemented that matters,” he said.

-Sakshipost