The Hindu Business Line : Bengal sets up panel to look into fire prevention measures

Kolkata, May 23 The West Bengal Government on Friday announced the setting up of a high-level, five-member committee that will look into the fire prevention measures that have been put in place by shopping malls across the State.

The decision follows the death of 12 people on May 16, in a fire that broke out at Readymade Centre, a two-storied garments store located at Sodpur in the northern fringes of the city.

Briefing newspersons at Writers’ Buildings here, Dr Asim Dasgupta, West Bengal’s Finance Minister, said the committee would be headed by the Special Secretary in the Department of Municipal Affairs, Mr Arnab Roy.

It would have as its members the Additional Director-General of the Fire Services Department, the Chief Engineers of the Kolkata Municipal Development Authority and Municipal Engineering Directorate and the Additional Superintendent of Police of the district in which the mall is located.

Dr Dasgupta said the committee would inspect the malls and submit its report within one month.

Action would be taken against those malls that do not adhere to stipulated fire prevention measures. This may include cancellation of their trade licences as well.

Dr Dasgupta said the State Government would pay Rs 1 lakh each to the next of kin of those who died in the fire at Readymade Centre.

Compensation package

He said that the State Government has also decided to hike the compensation payable to the next of kin of those who die on account of natural calamities from the present level of Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. The State Government will also cover the cost of treatment of those who get injured due to natural calamities, Dr Dasgputa said.

More Stories on : Accidents | West Bengal

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