Andheri ESIC hospital fire: State government to set up a six-member committee

On December 17, a massive fire broke out at Andheri’s ESIC Kamgar hospital claiming 11 lives. In order to probe the mishap, the state government will be setting up a six-member committee which will be headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Industries). Labour department officials said that the committee is expected to give its report within a month.  

The committee will probe whether the hospital had all the requisite permissions, no-objection certificates and occupancy certificates for the building. Apart from this, it will check whether all fire prevention standards were followed, the fire-fighting system was functional and if it had a NOC from MIDC’s fire department whose jurisdiction it falls under.

Also Read: Kamgar Hospital Fire: Administration Did Not Pay Whole Compensation For Deceased Newborn, Made Insensitive Remarks

An official said that it will also probe whether fire mock drills and inspections were carried out, adding that the committee would then recommend action against officials who are found responsible for any lapse. The committee then would suggest ways to prevent such incidents in the future.

Also Read: Andheri ESIC Kamgar Hospital Fire: Death Toll Rises To 11 As 8-Month-Old Baby Succumbs To Smoke Inhalation

The five other committee members will be Mumbai Municipal Commissioner, Principal Secretaries of labour and public health departments, Director of disaster management and ESIC Commissioner of ESIC, who will be member secretary of the panel.