Government flayed for ‘fixing’ fire licence fees

 

Home minister Ramesh Chennithala however, refuted the allegation claiming that the State government only rectified anomalies in the fees structure.

 

Mr Chennithala also refuted Mr Achuthan-andan’s allegation that DGP Jacob Thomas, then director of fire and rescue service, who was later shifted as managing director of Kerala police housing corporation was transferred due to his objection to the government move to reduce the fee.

 

Mr Chennithala claimed that no fee was charged for fire licence in Tamil Nadu and in Andhra Pradesh. Even in Karnataka it was Rs 10 per sq. metre.

 

The Opposition walked out after speaker N Sakthan disallowed the adjournment motion after Chief Minister Oommen Chandy rejected their demand for a probe into the case.

 

Mr Achuthanandan who raised the issue through a submission alleged that the state suffered a huge revenue loss while big realtors benefited from the decision to reduce the fees from Rs 100 to Rs 20 per square metre for issuing fire licence certificate by the state fire and rescue service department.

 

Chief Minister Mr Chandy while rejecting the demand said that the opposition was putting hurdles in development.

 

Home minister Ramesh Chennithala pointed out that there were a lot of complaints from various sections when the fee was hiked by about 900 per cent.