Municipal chief restrains Fire Brigade’s power to issue NOCs

Mumbai: The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBM-C) chief Balaji Khatgaonkar, has restrained Fire Brigade from issuing No Objection Certificates (NOC) to structures. The applications will now be forwarded to the Directorate of Fire Services (DFS) for a final nod.

Despite numerous high-rise buildings coming up in the twin-city, the civic administration is yet to wake up to the need of filling up the vacant key post of the CFO to handle its crucial fire and emergency services wing.  It is interesting to note that since its inception, the MBMC has not made any regular appointment for the much-needed post of CFO.  After an assist-ant fire officer, who was qualified for the job but had opted for voluntary retirement in 2013, the fire brigade has remained headless with no full time chief.

As a stop-gap arrangement, junior station officers, who have remained at the helm of affairs, shouldered the responsibility of granting fire NOCs.