Are you sure that the banquet hall or
bhavan you have hired in Siliguri to celebrate a memorable
day of your life is safe enough? Well, check that out.
A number of these bhavans have mushroomed in this burgeoning
town over the years. In some instances, even local clubs and
household space in domicile buildings have started earning
money inviting such gatherings.
It may be hard to believe but the fact is that out of the
many such bhavans in Siliguri, only 28 are registered with
the Siliguri Municipal Corporation and not a single one is
registered with the Siliguri Fire Extinguishing Service, although
both are must.
According SMC records, there are only three bhavans in Babupara,
one near the NTS More, two at Lake Town, one in NJP, one in
Milanpally, four in Khalpara, three on Burdwan Road, one on
Church Road, one on Sevoke Road, one in Ashrampara, two in
Hakimpara, one at Champasari, five in Haidarpara, one in Subhaspally
and one in Rabindranagar. These do not even exist in the fire
services files.
According to the law if a house or vacant space is registered
as a hall for public gathering on commercial basis, those
have to maintain some precautionary measures and have to pay
taxes and electricity rates at commercial rates which is much
higher than the domestic rate.
When asked about the irregularity the chief executive officer
of SMC Mr Samir Banerjee, said: The SMC is not aware of any
unauthorised banquet hall in the town. If we get specific
complains against these we would take proper action to stop
the illegal practice.
Mr Avijit Maitra, senior manager of West Bengal State Electricity
Board, said: The SEB can not tell specifically about the bhavans
of Siliguri but if we find any such bhavan using electricity
for commercial purpose without paying applicable tariff, we
shall take action according to the WBSEB law.
Officials of the fire service admitted having infrastructural
loopholes, which stopped them from taking action against the
offenders.
Courtesy: The Statesman |
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