BMC administrators said that they have issues notices to restaurants over regulations, but RTI activists claim that nothing has been done to curb the situation.
Despite the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) administration being aware of that the restaurants were running illegally in Kamla Mills compound, it delayed action in the name of following standard operating procedure. While F South ward of BMC delayed action against Mojo's Bistro and 1 Above, it took action against four such pub and bars in its jurisdiction on Friday soon after the huge fire reported on the midnight of Friday.
Prashant Sapkale, assistant commissioner of G South ward, who has now been transferred to K East ward said that he took action against Mojo's Bistro in August and September following complaints of violation of open space on the terrace. “We had given three inspection reports to the owner of Mojo's Bristo as part of the standard operating procedure (SOP) for violation of open space on the terrace and took action on August 2 and September 22,” said Sapkale.
Surprisingly, the civic administration took action against Sky View Cafe in Kamla Mills premises while Shisha Sky Lunge and Panay N Fumes in Raghuvanshi Mill compound in Lower Parel under the G South ward jurisdiction. However, while taking action against these eateries, the civic body did not follow the SoP.
Sapkale said that there are around 60 restaurants registered in its jurisdiction and 36 of them are within the Kamla Mills compound. “We have issued notices to seven rooftop restaurants in our jurisdiction and took action against six,” said Sapkale.
Shockingly, the civic administration in a right to information reply, it said that it did not have information regarding action taken against various eateries that included permit bar and pubs. Even, the civic administration showed its inability to share rules and regulations regarding the permit given to serve hookah in eateries.
Dinesh Vaghela, an RTI activist said that the civic administration did not provide this information as they were aware that these eateries were serving hookah. “At any place where hookah is being served, no food item can be served,” said Vaghela. He added that the civic body violated rules and regulations while granting licence under section 394 of Mumbai Municipal Act.
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 "Kamala Mills Fire")
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