Maharashtra government institutes 6-member committee to probe ESIC hospital fire

The Maharashtra government on Thursday formed a six-member committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary Satish Gavai to probe the ESIC hospital inferno which claimed the lives of 11 persons and injured another 186. The committee, which also comprises the BrihanMumbai Municipal Commissioner, will inquire whether the hospital had in its possession necessary clearances, the occupational certificate (OC), and final fire approval.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced the inquiry after the fire broke out. The committee is expected to make its recommendations within a month.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation had clarified that the ESIC hospital, which is situated in the MIDC industrial estate in north west Mumbai, was operating without OC and final fire approval. The hospital was issued provisional fire nod. Furthermore, the ESIC hospital had also failed fire safety audit which was recently conducted.

A state industries department official told DNA,'' Prime facie, it is a clear case of criminal negligence as the hospital was functioning in the absence of OC and final fire approval. It deserves criminal action.''

MV Deshmukh, former director and fire advisor to the state government, observed that there is a clear provision in the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006 Act, that before obtaining the OC the final fire approval has to be obtained. ''In this case, it stands a clear case of criminal action against the owner of the property who should be held responsible. The committee is time consuming exercise. Unless deterrent is not created by taking appropriate actions, the cities in Maharashtra will never be fire safe,'' he said.

According to Deshmukh, effective enforcement of the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006 is the only solution to prevent the occurrences of fire. He further said that most of the authorities in the state do not have adequate number of fire officers for exercising the enforcement procedures.

After ESIC hospital fire, MIDC has ordered a fire audit at all units located in nearly 286 industrial estates across the state. The drive, which will focus on units in high-risk, will find out how many units do not having a final fire approval. MIDC will thereafter issue closure notices to them if norms are not followed.

IN VIOLATION

• The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation had clarified that the ESIC hospital, which is situated in the MIDC industrial estate in Andheri East, was operating without an OC and final fire approval