A meeting called by Minister for Panchayats and Social Justice M.K. Muneer on Thursday to take stock of the situation after a fire outbreak at S.M. Street here on Wednesday decided to give compensation to those genuinely affected.
Dr. Muneer told journalists after the meeting at the collectorate that the compensation package would be worked out after obtaining an interim report in 10 days. Repair of the buildings would be taken up without delay. Also, the Hanuman Swami temple that had been damaged in the incident would be renovated, he said.
A Sub Divisional Magistrate would inquire into the cause of the fire and submit a report in a month. A meeting would be convened to discuss the issues after getting the report, Dr. Muneer said.
The meeting decided to implement the provisions of the Disaster Management Act to prevent such incidents in future. Traders had been told to repair outdated electrical wiring systems. The suspected lapses on the part of one or two shopkeepers resulted in the loss of property worth crores of rupees, he said.
Stringent action would be taken against illegal structures at the S.M. Street entry point. These encroachments had been a hindrance to the vehicles executing rescue operations, he said. The meeting decided to replace the existing electrical lines with underground cables.
Water would be made available in the vicinity. A water tank would be constructed. Traders should come forward to insure their shops and establishments. The District Collector would chalk out schemes with insurance firms, he said.
Dr. Muneer lauded the efforts of the district administration, the police, the Fire and Rescue Services, traders, and local people in lessening the gravity of the accident.
Mayor M.K. Premajam; M.K. Raghavan, MP; A. Pradeepkumar, MLA; District Collector N. Prasanth; City Police Commissioner P.A. Valsan, Additional District Magistrate K. Radhakrishnan; Deputy Mayor P.T. Abdul Latheef; Deputy Collector (Disaster Management) K. Jamuna; Fire Force Assistant Divisional Officer Arun Bhasker; Calicut Development Authority Chairman N.C. Aboobacker; Kerala Urban and Rural Development Finance Corporation Ltd. Chairman K. Moideen Koya; representatives of political parties, merchants, and other government and quasi-government organisations took part in the meeting.
