JMC will take strict action against illegal business units: Ravi Jain

One after another fire tragedies have engulfed Jaipur in past few days. The administration has swung into action but incidents are going on unabated. A day before, a chemical factory in VKI Industrial Area Surya Chemicals was gutted exposing the ill-preparedness of administration. The factory was reportedly manufacturing ink of printing press without any legal permission. A couple of days back a marriage garden Mysore Mahal was also destroyed in fire which also didn’t have the mandatory Fire NOC. And a few months back, another marriage garden near Jawahar Circle Rose Garden was gutted. Now Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) is gearing up to take action against all such establishments including marriage gardens which are running illegally. Mukesh Sharma speaks with Jaipur Municipal Corporation CEO Ravi Jain to know about what action JMC is going to take for averting such incidents.       

Was the factory in VKI that was destroyed on Wednesday’s fire illegal? Will the JMC take action against those concerned?

Yes, that factory seems to be illegal as the owner has not turned up nor have we got any document which can verify its legality. We will certainly take strict action against it. The factory will be seized and suitable action will be taken against the factory owner.

Illegal factories and other unauthorised commercial establishments are mushrooming in several areas of the city. What are you doing about it?

All the Zonal Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to take action against these illegal business establishments. Notice will be issued to illegal factories. After that, we will seize the factories which are not complying the norms.

Rose Garden and Vidyadhar Nagar Tragedy’s probe committee has not yet filed the report. When should we expect action on it?

The committee has been given a direction to submit a quick report within next 2-3 days.

Marriage Gardens are susceptible to fire. Will action be taken against such gardens which don’t have fire safety NOCs and equipment?

The Rose Garden’s probe committee will give its detailed suggestive report. In the report, the committee is expected to give few guidelines which should be adhered by marriage gardens. We will follow that in letter and spirit. If any garden violates such norms, strict action will be taken.

The municipal fire department does not have enough safety equipment and man power. There is no permanent staff in the fire cell. Assistant Fire Officer is officiating on the post of Chief Fire Officer. What do you say on this?

We have issued tenders for the fire tender chassis. We are also in the process of purchasing bikes. Similarly, tenders for fire safety equipment like gum boot, gas masks, hand gloves, axes, helmets and other items are being issued. We are also appointing new drivers. As far as hiring permanent staff is concerned, we keep on writing letters to the government for recruitment on vacant posts. We are still waiting for the post of full time CFO and others to be filled for long time.