The association also deplored the suspensions and resignation “drama” by Minister for Medical Education and Research Tikshan Sud over the issue.

M S Randhawa, PCMS patron, said on Monday that the “nursery blaze” on January 31 was an impending disaster due to the “dangerously substandard medical equipment” and the negligent approach of hospital authorities and technical experts.

“The lack of fire-fighting and safety measures and precautions, room temperature monitoring alarm devices and other monitoring gadgets were also the reason for the tragic incident,” he said. The association’s findings maintain that the tragedy resulted from “criminal negligence’ of the state hospital system, he added.