Dehradun, Oct. 7 -- The fire in Jaipur's SMS Hospital ICU that has claimed several lives is yet another example of India's poor maintenance culture. It begins, of course, with inadequate regulations and their lax enforcement. Part of the reason for this is corruption - officials are happy to take bribes to look the other way - but also a lack of understanding on why the regulations are necessary in the first place. Owners of establishments are unwilling to employ the staff required to ensure proper maintenance in the bid to keep running costs low. It is not just about making money but also having the right priorities.
The problem also begins with taking short cuts in the construction of buildings, with necessary safety measures not being b...