Two officials suspended after tragic child drowning incident in Haveri

HAVERI: In a tragic turn of events, a 9-year-old boy, Nivedan Gudageri, drowned in a roadside drainage canal on Old PB Road, leading to the suspension of two officials. The suspended persons are Parashuram Chalavadi, commissioner of Haveri municipal corporation, and Ramesh Munjoji, a junior health inspector.

The stay order was issued on Thursday by district collector Vijaya Mahantesh Danammanavar, who also appointed Urban Development Authority Commissioner Veeramallappa Poojari as acting municipal commissioner.

The unfortunate incident took place in 3rd Cross of Shivajinagar, in the 9th ward of the municipality. A banyan tree in the area had been removed at the request of the municipal commissioner for the purpose of extending drainage. However, after the tree was removed, the drainage area was left uncovered, resulting in the child’s fall and subsequent drowning.

The order states that both officers were found guilty of dereliction of duty, particularly for failing to ensure that the drainage area was adequately covered after the tree was removed.

District in-charge Minister Shivanand Patil expressed deep sadness over the incident and ordered that the responsible officials face suspension. The suspension order highlights negligence, irresponsible behavior and dereliction of duty as the main reasons for the action taken against the municipal commissioner and the junior health inspector. Under the Natural Disasters Act and the Karnataka Public Service Act, both officials are now barred from leaving their headquarters during the suspension period without prior permission from the relevant authority.

This tragic incident highlights the urgent need for increased vigilance and accountability in public works to prevent similar accidents in the future. The municipality is calling for stricter regulations and better management practices to ensure the safety of public spaces, especially near hazardous areas such as drainage systems.

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