BMC likely to issue show cause notices to more civic officials
KAMALA MILLS FIRE AFTERMATH
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will issue show cause notices to more civic officials in upcoming days. The notices will be issued pertaining to their failure in acting against irregularities found at the two rooftop resto-bars ‘1Above’ and ‘Mojo Bistro’ in Kamala Mills compound devastating fire which claimed fourteen people lives on December 29, 2017.
Vijay Singhal, the Additional Municipal Commissioner (AMC) who is conducting a departmental inquiry of civic officers stated,"As part of the investigation the show cause notices will be issued soon to other civic officials depending upon their involvement in it. So far show cause notices were issued to total twelve civic officers and within 10 days they have to give their written reply. Thereafter, a hearing will be held to corroborate their say."
On January 18, civic chief Ajoy Mehta submitted his final probe report on the Kamala Mills compound tragedy saying there was a possibility of FSI misuse in the two resto-bars. In that report, Mehta named ten officers who will face a departmental inquiry. Following police investigations, two more names were added to the list of those facing a departmental inquiry. Now the inquiry is being conducted by AMC Singhal. After seeking all replies he will conduct a hearing for the officials and then submit the report to Mehta in the next three months time.
Earlier, after the devastating fire Mehta immediately suspended 5 BMC officers who are designated officer (DO) Madhukar Shelar, subengineer Dinesh Mahale, junior engineer Dhanraj Shinde, medical officer health (MOH) Dr. Satish Badgire and assistant divisional fire officer S S Shinde. These all five have been chargesheeted for dereliction of duty in connection with the Kamala mills fire. In addition on Friday, BMC sent seven other officers including two assistant municipal commissioners, Prashant Sapkale and Bhagyashree Kapse, showcause notices. The seven officials have been given 10 days to submit their replies, following which a decision will be taken on the action to be taken.