Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Amidst a crackdown on coaching centers for safety violations, Drishti IAS head Vikas Divyakirti has spoken out about the complexities of the issue and reassured the public about the institution’s commitment to student safety. This comes in the wake of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) sealing several institutes, including Drishti IAS, following a tragedy at Rau’s IAS Study Circle where three civil service aspirants drowned due to waterlogging in a basement library.
The incident prompted a wave of criticism on social media directed at Divyakirti, a former civil servant and prominent figure in the education sector. In a statement shared on X, Divyakirti extended his condolences to the families of the victims—Shreya Yadav, Tanya Soni, and Nevin Dalwin.
“The anger among students is completely valid. It would be good if this anger is channelized in the right direction and the government lays down guidelines for coaching centers. We are ready to assist the government in this regard,” he said.
Divyakirti highlighted the complexities surrounding the regulation of coaching centers. “There are many aspects that are linked by lack of clarity and conflict. There is inconsistency in the rules of DDA, MCD, and the Delhi Fire Department. There is also conflict in the National Building Code, Delhi Fire Rules, and Unified Building Bye-Laws,” he pointed out. He expressed hope that the Home Ministry-appointed panel to investigate the tragedy would address these issues.
Emphasizing the institution’s focus on safety, Divyakirti stated that Drishti IAS employs a Fire and Safety Officer who is an alumnus of the National Fire Services College and has 14 years of experience in the field. This officer conducts regular safety audits of the coaching centers.
Welcoming the MCD’s actions in response to the tragedy, Divyakirti proposed a long-term solution. “A permanent solution is that the government allocates three or four zones in Delhi for coaching centers. If the government readies classrooms, libraries, and hostels, the problems of high fees and safety issues will be resolved,” he said. He also mentioned that Drishti IAS would soon release a detailed analysis on the issue.
“We assure you that we will be more cautious about students’ safety,” Divyakirti added.
