Birch nightclub fire probe report gives 60 recommendations to govt

Panaji: The magisterial inquiry report has given 60 recommendations to state govt, including actions and steps that need to be put in place, to prevent fire incidents like the one at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, where 25 people died on Dec 6.The inquiry report runs into 108 pages, besides 500+ pages of annexures and statements. “In the recommendations, the inquiry report has detailed the lapses and actions that need to be taken against each department,” a senior govt officer said.State govt initially gave a week to the committee to complete the inquiry and submit the report. However, the committee submitted the report in a fortnight due to the scrutiny of many documents and the recording of statements.North Goa district collector Ankit Yadav headed the magisterial inquiry to examine the sequence of events and submitted the inquiry report to state govt. “The report will be placed before govt for necessary action,” a senior govt officer said.A senior govt official said that the chief minister, chief secretary, and DGP will review the report next week and initiate necessary action. This action could also include suspensions, if needed.The committee, headed by Yadav — a 2018 batch IAS officer — also comprises IPS officer and South Goa SP Tikam Singh Verma, director of forensic sciences Ashutosh Apte, and deputy director, directorate of fire and emergency services, Rajendra Haldankar.As per the terms of reference, the committee shall examine the sequence of events leading to the incident, verify the compliance of all statutory licences, determine lapses, fix accountability on agencies/departments responsible, and recommend preventive and corrective measures. The committee shall have the authority to call for records and documents. “The committee has powers to summon individuals concerned. The committee shall submit the report within one week,” the home department said.On Dec 7, state govt suspended three govt officials in the wake of the blaze at the Arpora-based nightclub, Birch by Romeo Lane.Siddhi Harlankar, then director/additional director of panchayats, Shamila Monteiro, then member secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board, and Raghuvir D Bagkar, secretary of the Arpora-Nagoa panchayat, have been suspended.