Hindustan
Times: Ludhiana: Sunday, February 10, 2013.
A local Right
to Information (RTI) activist on Saturday complained to Punjab State Human
Rights Commission against top showrooms and restaurants at Sarabha Nagar market
in the city for allegedly not taking fire safety measures and thus putting the
lives of thousands of residents in danger.
The fact that
no showroom at Sarabha Nagar market, also known as Kipps Market, came to light
when council of RTI activists secretary Arvind Sharma filed an application with
the fire wing of the MC under the RTI Act.
In his
complaint to the human rights panel, Sharma demanded action against erring
owners of showrooms and restaurants that have ignored public safety.
"There
is collusion of these owners with some officials of the fire wing who allow
them to work without necessary permission from the fire wing," Sharma
claimed in his complaint.
He pointed
out that a fire broke out at a restaurant on January 4, though no one was
injured. However, it could have resulted in a disaster, the complainant added.
The RTI query
was filed on January 7 this year, seeking copies of no-objection certificates
issued to these shops and restaurants and the list of defaulters. Sharma alleged
that the entire market was a defaulter as none had an NOC.
He further
alleged that most structures in the market were illegal as they were actually
shop-cum-flats under Ludhiana Improvement Trust scheme but later converted to
shop- cum-offices.
Bhupinder
Singh, the assistant divisional fire officer, had earlier said that the fire
wing would issue notices to the erring shopkeepers and restaurant owners and
take suitable action.
.JPG)
.JPG)
