The fire that occurred in Ranabusty and Khudiram Colony, two adjacent neighbourhoods in ward 18, on Saturday evening, was extinguished on Monday by ex-gratia payments of Rs 5,000 to each of the affected families, according to Gautam Deb, mayor of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC).
We’re helping out with money from the mayor’s relief fund. In order to expedite the distribution of documents and identity certificates that these families have lost in the fire, we will also speak with representatives of the relevant state authorities and the leaders of various educational institutions, said Deb after touring the affected districts on Monday.
Residents who had been affected by the fire, particularly students and candidates for the impending Madhyamik and higher secondary board exams, had expressed fear that they would not be able to salvage crucial paperwork and textbooks.
Teachers at several of the schools where they attend class have promised them all assistance. The fire destroyed 31 homes and hutments in total, while a few more suffered minor damage. Currently, about 300 people are residing in a neighbourhood community centre. Following their visits to the impacted districts, the Left council members argued that it is the civic body’s duty to take on the task of rehabilitating these families.
The task of constructing homes for each of these households should be taken on by the SMC. The renovation should be started immediately, according to Left councilwoman Joy Chakraborty.
Mayor Deb, who arrived in Siliguri on Monday from Calcutta, claimed to have reported the event to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
We will conduct a meeting at the civic body on Tuesday to develop a rehabilitation programme for the affected families, he added. “I have also spoken with the district magistrate,” he said.
