Patiala Division Commissioner begins inquiry into fire in multi-storey polybag manufacturing factory in Ludhiana

Ludhiana, November 22, 2017: Following the directions of the state government the Patiala Division Commissioner VK Meena has started conducting an inquiry into the incident of massive fire broke out in a multi-storey polybag manufacturing factory at Mustak Ganj Chowk (Industrial Area-A) in Ludhiana. The tragic incident had claimed the lives of 13 people, including firemen.
The Divisional Commissioner on Wednesday visited the spot and also met the injured people undergoing treatment at CMC Hospital, Ludhiana. He enquired about the health of the injured people at the hospital.
The Divisional Commissioner also held a meeting with the officers concerned at the office of deputy commissioner and issued necessary directions to them. He asked for the documents such as house tax/property tax/building plan/sewerage and water supply of the ill-fated building along with reports from the officers concerned. Besides, he also sought report about allotment letter and building plan of the building concerned from the Department of Industries. Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) authorities were asked to present documents related to copies of NOCs and certificate of sanction of the industrial unit concerned.
Similarly, the Departments of Factories and Labour were also asked to present all the building related documents. The police were asked to give a copy of the FIR. The Department of Fire was also asked to submit all the related documents such as NOCs etc. The report about power connection and its load etc was also asked for from PSPCL authorities. The departments concerned were also asked to submit detailed information about taxation documents such as registration certificate.
Meena told that a through and ground-level inquiry would be conducted into the incident. In this connection, he would also meet the firemen who were put into service to extinguish fire with a view to get detailed information about the incident. He asked the authorities concerned to take samples of debris of the damaged factory premises and send to laboratory for forensic tests to found out exact reasons behind blast during the incident of fire inside the factory premises. He said there might had been stored some chemical illegally or against the rules.
Earlier, speaking to the media persons at the spot the Patiala Division Commissioner told that every aspect of the incident would be inquired in detail to bring out the facts.
It may be mentioned here that the factory owner Inderjit Singh Gola was arrested on Wednesday. He was booked under Section 304-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).