In order to ensure that small and traditional eateries of the city do not suffer due to the negligence of a certain group of restaurants and pubs, the Indian Hotel and Restaurants Association (AHAR) has written a letter to the BMC
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In order to ensure that small and traditional eateries of the city do not suffer due to the negligence of a certain group of restaurants and pubs, the Indian Hotel and Restaurants Association (AHAR) has written a letter to the BMC mentioning that they want to form their own fire audit team. The letter, which has been sent in response to the notice issued by the civic body regarding the revised procedure of issuing hotel licences, also mentions the ways in which the guidelines issued by the fire department and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) contradicts each other.
According to the letter, while the fire department has made sand buckets compulsory, FSSAI says that the buckets cannot be kept in the cooking area. Further emphasising on the fact that most restaurant operators were confused about fire safety guidelines, the letter points out that the civic body asks hotels to install gas leak detectors within the gas cylinder cabins, but it goes against fire safety rules, as electricity is needed to operate the system.
"It was due to the negligence of the operators of the hookah parlour at Kamala Mills and the disregard shown by certain people towards safety, that the tragic incident happened. But as a result of this, the small and traditional outlets that cater to the middle class and provide good food at affordable prices should not suffer," the letter added.
Santosh Shetty, president, AHAR, said, "We request the civic body to regulate as well as facilitate the hotel industry. We are looking at forming a fire audit team of our own. We are eager to make all the restaurants in the city safe."
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