New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh’s deputy chief minister, Brajesh Pathak, expressed his displeasure over the use of lime powder for road markings in Jhansi ahead of his visit to the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College on Saturday. The markings, which are typically made during VIP movements, were spotted on the road before Pathak’s arrival. In a video that went viral, workers can be seen laying down the lime powder.
Pathak condemned the act, calling it “sad” and asked the district magistrate to identify those responsible and take strict action. He made it clear that such practices would not be tolerated. The incident occurred during Pathak’s visit to Jhansi following a tragic fire at the medical college’s children’s ward that claimed lives of 10 newborns.
Congress criticises VIP treatment for Pathak
In a video message, Pathak said, “Before I reached Jhansi Medical College, some person was laying lime powder on the roadside, which is very sad. I condemn this. And, I would ask the District Magistrate to identify the person, who got the work done, and take strong action against him. I will never accept this.”
This came after the opposition criticised the Uttar Pradesh government for reportedly cleaning the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College compound and sprinkling lime on the roads ahead of Pathak’s visit. A post on X by Congress highlighted the government’s “insensitivity,” stating, “On one hand, children tragically perished in the fire, and their families are grieving. On the other, lime was being laid out on the roads to welcome the deputy chief minister. Families have also claimed that the entire compound was filthy but was cleaned just before his visit.”
Three-tier investigation launched into incident
The fire, which broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, is believed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit. In the aftermath, 16 children were injured and are currently receiving treatment. Authorities have launched a three-tier investigation into the incident, with reports of a potential malfunction in the hospital’s fire safety equipment.
While some reports claimed the medical college had expired fire extinguishers, deputy CM Pathak and medical officials have dismissed these claims, insisting that the firefighting equipment was in proper working order.
The UP government announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 for each of the injured children. A magisterial inquiry and further investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire and any negligence involved.
