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Kolkata, Oct 11 (IANS) The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Kolkata Police will jointly conduct surprise inspections of rooftop restaurants across the city that were allegedly operating without the requisite civic permissions and supervision during the recent festival season, a KMC official confirmed on Saturday.
A senior KMC official said the joint enforcement drive is aimed at identifying establishments violating rules and taking “stringent action” against them.
“Information from the licensing department shows that out of 83 rooftop restaurants, only 21 had applied online to open. But there are reports that others have also opened without paying the bonds and bypassing the rules. Strict action will be taken against such restaurants,” the official said.
According to the official, KMC granted permission to open rooftop restaurants during the festive season on humanitarian grounds, so that they do not suffer financial loss during Durga Puja.
The joint action follows a massive fire that broke out at a rooftop restaurant in the Mechua market area in April this year, in which 14 people died. Following the tragedy, the KMC had imposed strict restrictions on the operation of all commercial rooftop establishments, including hotels and restaurants, in Kolkata.
As a relief measure to ensure that businesses do not suffer losses during the Durga Puja festivities, the civic body has allowed some rooftop restaurants to operate for three months, after submitting a bond with the fire department, police and KMC.
To streamline the process, KMC opened a separate counter in its licensing department. Of the 83 rooftop restaurants in Kolkata, only 21 were able to open before Durga Puja after paying the bonds.
However, it was revealed that many other establishments continued their business during the festive season without permission or supervision from the KMC.
As a result, the police and KMC have started collecting information to identify such restaurants. Civic body officials will also conduct surprise inspections, check whether restaurants are open, review their logbooks and digital transactions, and verify the presence of gas cylinders to determine whether they were functioning during Durga Puja.
A civic official alleged that some rooftop restaurants were trying to avoid paying the bond or using their influence to circumvent the rules.
“A team of select officials from KMC, police and fire department has been formed. Surprise inspections will begin from today and if any irregularities are found, action will be taken as per rules,” the official said.
–IANS
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