BMC orders probe against 10 officers after Kamala Mills blaze

Mumbai: After suspending five civic officials, the BMC has ordered a departmental inquiry against 10 officers from the G/South ward in connection with the Kamala Mills fire in which 14 people died and 31 others were injured on December 29, 2017.

This information was revealed in Brihanmumbai municipal corporation (BMC) chief, Ajoy Mehta's probe report on the fire tragedy that he submitted to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday. The report states that BMC's unit, which ensures compliance of key fire-safety requirements, is the "weakest wing" and there is "no effective check on compliance". The report also highlights that there was a violation of additional FSI given to mill owner as per the IT policy and notification of government of Maharashtra (GOM).

The report is a compilation of recommendations and amendments in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) Act in order to avoid any such incidents in the future.

The report states: "I am further ordering full-fledged departmental inquiries against 10 officials from the Building Proposal Department, G/South ward, fire brigade and two assistant commissioners and deputy executive health officer".

The report demands criminal actions against owners of the premises, owners of Mojo Bristos and 1 Above, architect, interior decorator who carried out the unauthorised works. "The license agreement of mill owner and restaurant will be investigated," Mr Mehta states in the report.

The report highlights that there was a violation of additional FSI given to mill owner as per the IT policy and notification of government of Maharashtra (GOM). The extra built up area was given for IT purposes and only 20 per cent for commercial use. However, the mill owner has overused it for commercial purposes, the report claimed. The BMC has asked the government three months to crack down on more such violations in the Kamala Mills compound.  

The report has proposed an amendment to the MMC Act section 394, section 471, section 472 for eating house/restaurant licenses with stringent provisions like heavy penalties for running business without license and violation in licensed premises.

The recommendations also highlight the need of an effective check on compliances, which brings out the need to for a separate compliance wing in the Mumbai fire brigade. "To strengthen the fire security, the owner should also appoint a well-trained fire safety officer among his employees. There should be awareness among the employees with proper knowledge of exit points during case of emergency," the report states.