PANAJI: The Goa government has set up a Joint Enforcement and Monitoring Committee to step up inspections and safety checks across tourism establishments in the wake of the Birch nightclub fire in Arpora that killed 25 people.
The incident has prompted the government to enforce fire safety norms and statutory compliance at nightclubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, resorts, beach shacks, temporary structures, event venues, and other entertainment spaces.
The committee will be headed by a Senior Scale Officer of the Goa Civil Service and will include a Police Inspector, a Station Fire Officer, and Executive Engineers from the PWD and the Electricity Department. The chairperson has been designated an Executive Magistrate under Section 14(1) of the BNSS, 2023, giving them the authority to enforce safety norms within their jurisdiction. Taluka-wise teams and their areas of operation are listed in Annexure I.
Under its mandate, the committee will conduct joint inspections and carry out random checks to verify key safety requirements, including valid fire safety certificates, working firefighting equipment, emergency exits and evacuation routes, electrical safety, structural and occupancy compliance, sound and lighting regulations, and crowd-control measures.
A monthly report will be submitted to the government through the District Magistrates, detailing inspections carried out, compliance status, violations flagged, and action taken or proposed. The chairperson will report directly to the respective District Magistrate. The order takes effect immediately and will remain in force until further notice.
