Public Works Department Minister Chhagan Bhujbal has assured that the government would also take action against senior civic officials responsible for the recent building collapse that claimed more than 60 lives.

The collapse of a civic staff quarters in Mazgaon on Friday killed 61 people and left many others severely injured.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has already suspended 7 officials and launched inquiry against 11 others. The move comes after initial probe revealed that the building had been in need of urgent repairs and that the officials' apathy and red-tapeism were responsible for the collapse.

Several politicians from different parties demanded the government to take strict action against senior officers as well. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut demanded the government to take action against municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte too.

Responding to the demands, Mr. Bhujbal said, "There is no doubt that the BMC is to be blamed. Action must be taken against senior officers as well."

The seven officials suspended by the civic body are all lower-level officers from the planning & design (P&D) and the markets departments. The highest-ranking officer suspended is an executive engineer from P&D department.