Fire Dept Denies Granting Permission to Clubs to Resume Operations..

Panaji: Fire and Emergency Services Director Nitin Raikar on Wednesday categorically denied granting permission to nightclubs to restart operations after being shut down for lacking the mandatory Fire No-Objection Certificate (NOC).Responding to media queries about reports that some clubs had resumed business despite closures, Raikar said no approvals had been issued by the Fire Department.“We have not given any permission to clubs to resume operations. Even if establishments claim to have complied with safety requirements, a re-inspection by the department is mandatory, and that has not been carried out yet,” he stated.Raikar further pointed out that there was clear negligence on the part of the establishments regarding fire safety norms.“Despite repeated approaches and instructions from the department, the required safety measures were not adequately addressed,” he added.Clarifying specifically about Birch by Romeo Lane, the Director said the nightclub did not receive any clearance from the Fire Department.“Birch by Romeo Lane did not have any permission, and we have already made this clear publicly. We did not give them permission to operate,” Raikar said.The Fire and Emergency Services Department reiterated that any establishment found operating without valid fire safety clearance would face strict action as per law.