From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Oct 10: In the wake of the ghastly fire tragedy in the Attibele Firecracker Godown that caused 15 deaths, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed stringent scrutiny of firecracker license holders and tough action against any violations in the State.
The Attibele Tahsildar, Police Inspector, and Regional Fire Officer have been ordered to be placed under suspension, he said.
The Chief Minister held a high-level review meeting on Monday on the situation arising out of the Attibele fire tragedy, in which Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar also participated along with Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma.
Siddaramaiah said the State Government has viewed the Attibele incident on the outskirts of the city and asked all the officers concerned with the issue of licenses and their scrutiny to strictly adhere to the norms and take stringent action against any deviations.
"Who will take responsibility for the loss of 14 innocent lives?" he asked and said the terms and conditions laid down under the Explosives Act must be strictly adhered to. The Deputy Commissioner concerned must examine whether the reports submitted to him for approval by the lower-level officers have been verified.
The officials in their report, in the Attibele tragedy, pointed out that the Police Circle Inspector has submitted photographs and necessary mahajar reports. The Superintendent of Police has submitted a report to the Deputy Commissioner, who has also received a report from the Tahsildar.
Siddaramaiah took the officials to task when it was brought to the notice of the meeting that a license was not granted to open the godown for firecrackers and mere permission was given for the sale.
The Chief Minister said the DC, SP, and Fire Force officials must conduct an on-the-spot verification before granting any license. If any deviations or violations were noticed, the licenses must be canceled.
The meeting was informed that two types of licenses are being granted in Bengaluru – permanent shops and temporary shops. BBMP, Electricity, Fire Force, Traffic, and Law and Order Police have to provide No-Objection Certificates before the licenses are issued, which are valid for 5 years. NOCs are not insisted upon for renewal of licenses.
The Chief Minister said the rules and norms regarding the grant of licenses under the Explosives Act need to be reviewed and changed. The government will write to the Centre seeking suitable changes, he said.
He directed the officials to keep strict vigil for the arrival of firecrackers along the Attibele-Hosur border areas and asked the officials to strictly follow the court directions in this regard.
The Deputy Chief Minister suggested that there is a need to prohibit the bursting of firecrackers during weddings, political rallies, and other such events to ensure public safety and avoid the loss of lives as well as damage to private and public properties.
Hike in loans under Arivu Scheme
Earlier, the Chief Minister held a meeting to review the performance of Housing, Minority Welfare, Haj, and Wakf Departments and directed that the loan amounts provided to students of the minority community under the Arivu scheme be enhanced as part of the efforts to give a fillip to minority education.
He directed the officials to submit proposals for the sanction of additional posts in accordance with the increase in Morarji Desai Residential Schools and the increase in intake.
With a large number of applications for different schemes from the Minority Development Corporation, Siddaramaiah directed the officials to prepare a list of eligible candidates based on seniority and distribute them.