You are the Commissioner of a city municipal corporation. Recognizing the state of some of the old buildings, you have categorised these under the list of dilapidated buildings. You have also issued an advisory to residents regarding the status and hazards of living in such buildings and asked them to vacate the premises. However, even after such a notification, residents continue to occupy such buildings and refuse to vacate. These are mostly poor people who have no other alternative available and would be rendered homeless if they vacate the premises. While you are trying to figure a way out for these people, your worst fears come true when one of the four-storeyed buildings on the list collapsed after heavy rains. Following the incident, public outrage led to accusations against the corporation for not getting the building vacated. (a) What challenges do you face as the Commissioner in this situation? Highlight the steps you will take to address these. (b) What measures will you take to prevent reoccurrence of such unfortunate incidents?

1. Compassion towards poor vs Rule of law
2. Short term benefit vs Long Term Benefit

(a)

Challenges faced

1. Lack of public trust due to perception of negligence

2. Preventing further accidents

3. Establishing rule of law

4. Facing media and public criticism

5. Owning responsibility for the mishap

1. Evacuation of remaining residents of dilapidated buildings

2. Mitigation of disaster for the currently affected residents

3. Compensation and rehabilitation of those affected

4. Alternative residential accommodation for those who evacuate dilapidated buildings

5. Further demolition process

6. Regaining public trust

Steps to address

1. Ownership of responsibility as the leader and promise the public prompt action → ownership will build public trust

2. Give concrete steps of action to public in a transparent manner.

3. Provide immediate relief like basic medicines, foods, water etc to the affected. Make alternative living arrangements.

4. Give free treatment to those injured.

5. Announce compensation.

6. Convince other residents to evacuate using this as example.

7. Apologize to victims using emotional intelligence.

8. Create makeshift apartments.

9. Use schemes like PM Awas Yojana to build permanent houses.

Measures to prevent re-occurrence

1. Demolish currently dilapidated buildings.

2. Publish this list online for transparency.

3. Create Standard Operating Procedure for serving notice and penalties for those not evacuating.

4. Forcible eviction in public interest in case residents don't agree.

5. Prepare alternative accommodation for residents even before notices are served. → This will reduce resistance.

6. Use Kenneth Kernaghan's theory of social compliance by using popular bollywood stars and political leaders to convince residents to evacuate.