Overview

• The panel convened its inaugural session at Kolkata Municipal Corporation headquarters on May 28 following its formation by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
• It comprises 15 senior officials including Mayor Firhad Hakim, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose and Police Commissioner Manoj Verma.
• Members will evaluate structural deviations from approved building plans and assess compliance with fire safety norms in hotels, restaurants, factories and other commercial sites.
• Planned fire audits will be conducted by the Fire Department alongside independent third-party experts to ensure objective evaluations.
• The task force was formed in response to the April 29 Rituraj Hotel blaze that claimed 14 lives due to smoke inhalation and exposed gaps in Kolkata’s fire-safety infrastructure.