Three years have passed, but for the residents of Rajarajan Nagar in Moulivakkam, the memories of that tragic Saturday, when a 11-storey building collapsed leading to the death of 61, remain vivid.
Despite the passage of years, the Tamil Nadu government is yet to act on the recommendation of the Justice R. Regupathi Commission on forming a committee to determine the losses faced by individuals who booked the flats and the damage to the neighbourhood.
The committee had recommended that the government fix compensation proportionate to the loss for disbursal and the utilise the funds available under the State Disaster Relief Fund for such purpose.
The Chennai Municipal Development Authority says compensation is a policy decision by the State government. However, there have been no efforts to pay the compensation to the flat buyers, who have either gone bankrupt or defaulted leading to banks suffering huge losses.
Ratna Mishra, president of Moulivakkam Trust Height Affected Flat Buyers Association, said that they have been battling for three years to get compensation from the builder or the State government. “There are a total of 76 families who lost their earnings. I was paying ₹53,000 a month. At one stage, I stopped as I could not bear the burden of loan dues,” she said.
“We have faith in the judiciary and urge the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court to enforce Justice Regupathi Commission recommendations so that we are compensated,” she said.
The CMDA finally demolished the second building at Moulivakkam on November 2, 2016, which had been worrying residents since the fall of the other structure.
S. Abdul Khader, a resident of Rajarajan Nagar, said, “My house, which was renovated in 2012, is currently in a shambles. Nothing productive is taking place. The builder is roaming free, while we are still suffering.”
To their pleas for compensation, CMDA sources said, “Assessing losses and providing compensation to flat buyers and others in the neighbourhood affected by the mishap from the State Disaster Relief Fund is not feasible as the guidelines of SDRF do not permit it. However, the government will explore legal ways and means to assist the flat buyers and the neighbouring residents to get compensation from those responsible for the loss.”
“We were informed by the Kancheepuram Collector’s office that Madras High Court’s directives on awarding compensation had been sent to the State government for suitable orders. But it is yet to wake up to our demands,” Mr. Khader said.
Published - June 29, 2017 01:01 am IST
