Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will conduct joint inspections of rooftop restaurants and bars in the city in conjunction with other government wings like the fire and excise directorates.
This decision was taken after the Calcutta High Court asked KMC to give the owners of these establishments the opportunity of a hearing. A joint hearing could now follow the inspection.
During the High Court hearing, some establishments informed that they had obtained the excise license, trade license, fire-safety license, food license and license granted by the police.
According to KMC, in light of this, a joint inspection and joint hearings are necessary where officials from the excise and fire directorates are present.
Certain establishments might have deficiencies that only the excise or fire brigade can spot. A joint hearing could be an ideal platform to discuss these deficiencies. This joint inspection should ideally precede the hearings.
The High Court has referred the matter to the KMC for verification of the relevant documents, facts and figures. Upon such reverification, KMC shall arrive at a fresh decision as to whether the invocation of Section 400 (8) of the KMC Act is warranted.
KMC is also planning to send notices to more establishments beyond the list of 83 prepared by the police. These may or may not be running from the terrace, but are blocking access to the roof and encroaching on the fire refuge.
Till yesterday, no rooftop restaurant, bar or cafe had approached KMC with a sanctioned building plan. Only after this is done, KMC can check if the sanctioned building permit allowed construction on the roof.
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