Whe is responsible for checking the safety regulations of swings at Surajkund Mela? Or the ones just outside the gate. Even as the police arrested the main contractor and are on the lookout for the sub-contractor, all agencies involved have begun passing the buck.

Claiming to be prepared for any "law-and-order" situation, the Surajkund Mela Authority were caught napping when the accident occurred. The Authority includes members from Haryana Tourism and Union Ministry of Tourism, Deputy Commissioner (handlooms) and Deputy Commissioner (handicrafts).

According to a Haryana Tourism official, the Mela grounds have police and fire personnel as well as ambulances. "The swings are outside the gate. These are managed by private contractors who are given the work after open tenders are invited. What safety measures will they follow? What safety measures does Appu Ghar follow?"

According to Faridabad Superintendent of Police Ranbir Singh Sharma, the police are only responsible for the security at the Mela. The safety is taken care of by the Mela Authority themselves. "The police does not give these contractors any safety clearance.''

When asked if the contractor who was responsible for the swings on the grounds required to have a municipal license, Sharma said the police are still investigating the matter.

The SP however added: "The fault lies at three levels. One is the main contractor who is responsible for all the swings at the Mela. They get the contract after tenders are invited. As the machines are very expensive, they usually hire sub-contractors who own different machines like the Wheel or the Kishtiwala Jhoola. Then, finally comes the operator who actually runs the machine," he said.

Some of the visitors at the Mela pointed out that the many swings kept outside the gate had not been maintained properly. "They were painted brightly but the metal had a rusted look and the machines are unsafe," said a visitor.

Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.