Jinxed Rana Plaza!

THE whole background of Rana Plaza, seems murky, as given in a front page report published in an English daily on June 10. It is clear that Rana Plaza's owners are fully responsible for second degree murder, and possibly Savar municipality officials who permitted the building to be built, without proper verification. Hence to that extent, they are also a party to the crime; whether we like it or not! Incidentally, in the same daily, the next column on the front page; mentioned about another garment owner who is roaming free, although their garment factory fire on November 24, 2012, killed 112 poor garment workers! This is a very 'dirty puddle' for the party in power, to wipe clean.

The structural designs of Rana Plaza, was done by a fictitious and non existent designer; giving an absurd and imaginary membership number of the Institute of Engineers; that the approving municipality found now, while verifying to their dismay! This important check and verification should have been done prior to giving approval for construction! Did 'Speed Money' help to short circuit this basic need for verification step by the approving municipality officials? If so, then they too are accessory to 'second degree' murder of the victims killed in the horrifying Rana Plaza disaster!

Further strangely, two different configuration of structures were applied for approval to the same Savar municipal authorities; for the same building; initially in 2005 for a six storied building and in 2008 for additional four floors, making the building ten stories! Strangely no in-depth scrutiny or detailed study was undertaken by the approving municipal authorities!

To prevent this once for all I propose that approval of all more than three storied building; be it residential, commercial or industrial; a set of detailed drawings and material specifications for the structure; must be physically signed in the presence of the concerned approving authority. Full particulars of the owner and the designer with their photographs, including the applicant and the owners identity cards or passports; as well as official T&T and mobile numbers will be verified by calling the phone numbers; by the approving official and duly stated in all the drawings and documents enclosed for the building's approval!

The writer is an Engineer.