The Excise Department has ordered all clubs and restobars, with over 90 square metres of gross floor area, to submit their fire NOC by September 30, failing which their licence would be cancelled.

The Department has issued an order in this regard acting on the direction of the Delhi Fire Service in light of a fire in Arpit Hotel in Karol Bagh that killed 17 people.

Reviewed rules

“There are around 1,100 licence holders in the city, of which around 450 do not have the fire NOC,” an Excise Department official told The Hindu. He said this is because, earlier, restobars or clubs which had a seating area of less than 50 did not require a fire NOC. But after the Arpit Hotel incident, the DFS reviewed its rules and now all restobars or clubs which are over 90 square metres of gross floor area needs a fire NOC.

“All existing licensees, having a gross floor area of 90 sqm or more are directed to submit a copy of Fire Safety Certificate issued by the Delhi Fire Services latest by 30.09.2019., failing which action as deemed fit under the Delhi Excise Act, 2009, and Rules shall be taken, including suspension or cancellation of the licence,” an order issued by the Excise Department read.