Rourkela: The apathetic attitude of the district administration and the Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) has once more come to the fore with 10 sunstroke deaths reported from this city. After the loss of 10 lives, the RMC has woken up and is trying to ensure the ‘safety’ of the residents of this city. Every morning, garbage collection vans blare out the dos and don’ts to create awareness among the inhabitants here. One of the main announcements doing the rounds is punishment for individuals and organisations engaging others in manual labour from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm under the sun. The announcement states that strict penalties will be imposed against the offenders. However, the announcement has become a topic of joke among the residents here. “The Special Relief Commissioner had already implemented the rule way back in April.
So why this new farce,” asked Bina Das, an elderly lady residing here. “It is a cruel joke that the administration has woken up after 10 deaths. Will anyone take the responsibility for the deaths,” stated a member of the ‘Laughing Club’ here on condition of anonymity. Rourkela ADM Ashutosh Kulkarni confirmed that there have been 10 sunstroke deaths reported in the city. The postmortem reports of two of the deceased have already come, while the administration is waiting for the reports of the other eight. Family sources of the deceased said they were working in the open when the heatwave was at its peak. It should also be stated here that the media has time and again exposed government-run organisations violating rules during heatwaves. A senior citizen said, “Why blame private companies or individuals only. Who will impose penalties on government bodies and organisations that violate rules.”
