Mamata Banerjee's ultimatum to traders: Take measures against fires in 15 days

After the devastating blaze in the Surya Sen market here on February 27, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today gave traders and the business community 15 days to take measures against fires.

Giving the deadline, Banerjee told a programme here that they should also form a task force to implement fire safety measures.

"Closing a market is not a solution. You have to do business, but at the same time, you have to take fire safety measures in markets. You should form a task force and go around markets in the metropolis and ensure safety measures."

She asked the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, the police, the fire brigade and the disaster management department to sit with tradrs to chalk out measures to prevent fires in markets.

Over 20 people had lost their lives in the fire at the Surya Sen Market.

Referring to fire hazards at the state secretariat, Writers' Buildings, the chief minister said, "There are many small chambers at the back and it will be difficult to exit. Some immediate steps have to be taken there."

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