Kolkata inferno cost Rs 1000 crores: Traders

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Kolkata, January 17:: The devastating inferno in Burrabazar in Kolkata has destroyed property worth Rs 1000 crore, ruined 1700 shops and left 15,000 families in the lurch, Rajasthani traders, who constituted a bulk of businessmen at the market, have said.

Over 4000 businessmen, 80 per cent of non-resident Rajasthanis, were the worst affected and may not be able to restart their shops immediately as no rehabilitation plan and alternative area of marketing has been thought up by the Buddhadeb government, Bulakidas Mimani, Secretary of Chamber of Textile and Industry (COTTI) told a six-member visiting media team in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Over 1200 shops in Nandaram and Kansiram markets, and 500 shops in eight out of 14 katla (congested lanes' shops) in tarpaulin were gutted, and goods in hundreds of other shops were ruined, Mimani, who has made a preliminary assessment, said.

Earlier talking to reporters, President Rajasthan Foundation (Kolkata chapter) and Managing Director of Shree Cement LTD, Harimohan Bangur said the West Bengal government should take up the rehabilitation and revival of business on a war footing besides providing job opportunities to labourers who have came on the streets after the blaze.

There is an apprehension among the traders that the state government and municipal corporation could demolish the entire fire affected buildings and create new malls for new businessmen neglecting Rajasthanis, Bangur said.

Bangur, who announced a donation of Rs.21 lakh to the CM relief fund of West Bengal said, the fire was not caused by sabotage and government should help rehabilitate the small traders.

Mimani further demanded that besides rehabilitation process, soft, short term loans and contingency funds be provided to every businessmen to re-start work.

COTTI with a membership of 15000 people and affiliated with 52 business association was ready to assist in any inquiry, any rehabilitation, and arranging funds, he said.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Sohrab, RJD MLA of Burrabazar constituency said the Kolkata municipal corporation should take up the rehabilitation plan with the Left government and they should compensate the losses of business community.

"There is no need for any CBI or judicial probe...The state government has already set up two administrative inquiries to find out the cause of the fire and loss caused to the traders," the MLA said adding about 80 per cent were businessmen of Rajasthani origin and remaining from other states.

Joint Commissioner of Police Z Hasan, who is monitoring the law and order situation at the site, said businessmen operating on the Ist to Vth floor of Kansiram and Nandram buildings were allowed to go up and evacuate the valuables.

As some portion of these buildings were in a precarious condition after the devastating fire, the entry of businessmen from sixth to 13 floor would be allowed after reviewing the situation, Hasan said.

A six-member Rajasthan Pradesh Congress committee delegation led by Bhawani Shankar (AICC member) met West Bengal Governor G K Gandhi last evening demanding immediate compensation, rehabilitation, and alternative means to revive business in the fire-torn area.