Arrest threat for flouting fire norms

KOLKATA: Fire minister Pratim Chatterjee has threatened to arrest Durga Puja organisers who do not seek permission from his department before September 28. Household Pujas and those held in apartment buildings will, however, be exempt from the rule.
“There are many who do not follow the guidelines. Cases have begun against those who failed to take permission in 2002.We are keeping tabs on such organisers and this year we will arrest defaulters under nonbailable charges,� Chatterjee warned.
“We realised that many of the Centre’s 27 guidelines were impractical for Bengal. We reduced the number to six in 2002. For instance, dousing the cloth used to make pandals in fire-retardant solution will suffice,� he said.
Mayor Subrata Mukherjee requested the minister to ease the laws regarding use of bamboos and ropes in pandals. “I know that they are inflammable but there are no alternatives. Please maintain a balance,� Mukherjee said.