Kolkata: Fire license fees reduced by 92 pc

Small and medium-scale business-owners had been requesting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for reducing the mandatory fire license fees to make it easier for them to set up their businesses.

Now the fees have been reduced by approximately 92 per cent, in comparison to the last fee structure that was decided in 2017.

And the reduction has been across all categories of buildings. This decision was taken after a detailed meeting with the Fire and Disaster Services Department.

There are four categories of fees:

Buildings above 14.5 metres (m) in height (including residential complexes, dharamsalas, educational institutions, art galleries, libraries and museums): Reduced from Rs 53.80 per sq m or Rs 25,000, whichever is higher, to Rs 4.35 per sq m – reduction of 91.91%

5,000 sq m buildings (hospitals, nursing homes, resorts and guest houses): Reduced from Rs 80.70 per sq m or Rs 30,000, whichever is higher, to Rs 6.52 per sq m – reduction of 91.92%

Ports, airports, terminals, shopping complexes, offices and market areas: Reduced from Rs 107.60 per sq m or Rs 50,000, whichever is higher, to Rs 8.70 per sq m – reduction of 91.91%

Hazardous buildings like godowns and warehouses: Reduced from Rs 161.40 per sq m or Rs 1 lakh, whichever is higher, to Rs 13.05 per sq m- reduction of 91.91%.