KMC serves 7-day hearing notice to 3 rooftop restaurants
Times of India | 21 May 2025
123456 Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will conduct hearings for three rooftop restaurants early next week. Notices to these restaurants will be served by Wednesday afternoon, said a civic official. The hearings for the three restaurants will be conducted on the same day — most likely Tuesday — instead of on three different dates.Officials from buildings dept on Tuesday said they served notices to all 83 establishments, including restaurants and pubs, that were on the list submitted by Kolkata Police to the civic body. However, the KMC will conduct hearings for three establishments that sought legal intervention. The officials said they were ready to hold additional hearings for other venues that have been served notices. The KMC brass has assigned an additional commissioner to develop a strategy for conducting hearings related to the three rooftop restaurants and pubs.The KMC was directed to give a "fresh decision" on whether the invocation of 400 (8) is warranted, which, according to the HS, is an "extraordinary power to be used in emergency situations." If it is imperative for ensuring public safety, then the KMC can proceed with demolition after a "subjective and objective" assessment. However, if there is no immediate threat to life, then the owners should be given a hearing before taking coercive steps.The civic authorities prefer a comprehensive hearing process involving multiple departments — fire services for safety assessment, excise for alcohol licensing review, and police for parking evaluation. They may conduct site visits if required. However, concerns exist regarding the KMC's ability to proceed without a standard operating procedure (SOP).