Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday held a high-level meeting where he announced strict punitive measures, judicial probe, SOP and ex gratia for the kin of those who died in the fire at Birch by Romeo Lane, a night club in Aprora, North Goa, early on Sunday.
“(The) DGP has been directed to take strict punitive action against the culprit, including the owner, manager of the club and those who issued the permit.” said the Goa CM after the meeting.
The meeting was attended by several senior officials including the Chief Secretary, DGP and IGP, State Secretary, Revenue Collector and North SP.
Commenting on the next steps, Sawant said, “I have decided to conduct a magisterial inquiry through a committee comprising the district magistrate, SP South, deputy director of fire and rescue services, director of forensics into the procedural lapses that led to the mischief and submit a report to the government within a week.
“This committee has drawn up SOPs for all such establishments to ensure that such incidents do not recur in future. Recommendations issued by SDMA for all clubs, restaurants and other commercial establishments where there is a likelihood of significant impact to be secured and operated with valid permits and adequate security measures,” he added.
“A sum of ex-gratia ₹5 lakhs will be provided to the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured will be sanctioned through the SDRF fund,” Sawant further stated.
The government has also constituted a committee of South Goa Collector, Deputy Director of Fire and Rescue Services and Director of Forensic Laboratory to investigate the incident, he informed.
The committee will submit a report within a week.
The government has drawn up measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur, the CM said, as reported by PTI.
All nightclubs and other establishments in the hospitality sector will be advised to take adequate security measures, he added.
Government officials who allowed the club to operate – even though it violated several rules – will be suspended during the day, Sawant said.
State authorities will also audit clubs that operate without permits, as well as places where there is a possibility of gathering people in large numbers, the prime minister said.
At least 25 people lost their lives late Sunday night, four of them identified as tourists and fourteen others as employees.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief and announced ex-gratia ₹2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased in the Arpora, Goa fire. Injuries will be issued ₹50,000 from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
(With input from agencies)
