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Indore: Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had a providential escape on Monday, 5 June 2017 when a huge shamiana (tent) erected for a special function came crashing down as clouds gathered and soon winds at high speed and heavy rain ploughed through that area and the makeshift tent shelter came crashing down
The power supply was snapped and there was huge panic and those among the audience ran for their life. For some time, it was a stampde like situation. Besides the uprooted shamiana, what further added to the chaos was immense water-logging.
While the dignitaries were safe at least two dozen people were injured and some of them who were critical with head and chest injuries had been admitted in ICU.
Even as the other VIPs were rushed away, the Chief Minister chose to stay back and was seen supervising the relief operations.
May 5, 2016 Ujjain
Exactly a year ago – on May 5 – many persons were killed and over hundred were injured when makeshift tents erected for “Parva snan” during the Simhastha festival at Ujjain came crashing down when winds coupled with rain and hail swept through this area bring death and destruction.
These two incidents should wake up the authorities and it should be mandatory for them to check the meteorological report in advance before taking the reckless step of organising such functions in gross disregard of human safety under giant shamianas, which are becoming bigger and bigger under a robust democracy. Particularly, it should be mandatory for organisers to provide the Met report, 24 hours in advance, before going ahead with any function under a shamiana. Even at the last moment, the concerned authorities should have the powers to call off an event on grounds of adverse weather condition.
As per Government of India service tax rules under Finance Act 1997, “Pandal or shamiana” means a place specially prepared or arranged for organizing an official, social or business function.
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