Simhachalam wall collapse: Seven officials suspended
VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government has suspended seven officials, including Simhachalam Temple Executive Officer K Subba Rao, in connection with the tragic wall collapse at the temple that claimed seven lives during the 'Chandanotsavam' festival on April 30.
In addition to Simhachalam EO, temple EE DG Srinivasa Raju, AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) EE K Ramana, Simhachalam temple Deputy EE KSN Murthy, APTDC Deputy EE AVBLR Swamy, APTDC AC P Madan Mohan and Simhachalam temple JE K Babji were suspended. A three-member inquiry committee appointed to investigate the incident submitted its report to the State government on Monday.
Based on the committee's report, the government not only suspended the officials but also decided to blacklist the contractor and initiate criminal proceedings against the contractor and two of the officials.
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Wall collapse: government suspends Executive Officer of Simhachalam temple
The Government of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday placed K. Subba Rao, Deputy Collector, working as Executive Officer of the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam at Simhachalam in Visakhapatnam, under suspension on the basis of the inquiry commission's preliminary report, holding him accountable for the wall collapse during Chandanotsavam in the early hours of April 30. A G.O. (RT No. 406) to that effect was issued by G. Jayalakshmi, Special Chief Secretary (Revenue - Vigilance). It was stated that the inquiry commission informed the government that as Executive Officer, Mr. Subba Rao was responsible for all arrangements in the temple and that the temporary wall had been constructed as per his directions. Mr. Subba Rao failed to ensure that the work was supervised by the engineers properly and as per the designs, and if all safety measures were taken or not. He was, therefore, liable for disciplinary action for gross negligence and dereliction of duty, the G.O. said. Accordingly, the government ordered Mr. Subba Rao's suspension in exercise of the powers conferred by Rule 8 of the A.P. Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules of 1991. Seven persons had been killed as the wall caved in on the unsuspecting devotees when they were waiting to have darshan on the auspicious occasion of Chandanotsavam due to incessant rains that lashed overnight in the area.
