NT Reporter
Anjuna
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday accused the Pramod Sawant-led government of running an “extortion” regime that allows illegal establishments to function by collecting protection money, while commenting on the Birch nightclub inferno at Arpora.
Referring to media reports, Kejriwal said the nightclub owner allegedly did not possess an occupancy certificate, trade licence, excise licence or construction approval. “Despite this, water and electricity connections were provided. When I asked people here, I was told that hafta was being paid to the government and different departments,” he alleged.
Kejriwal said the Arpora incident was not an isolated case and claimed there were several illegal establishments across the state where public safety was being compromised. “The Pramod Sawant government is an hafta vasuli government. Violations are happening everywhere, but the government is not serious about acting because officers, MLAs and ministers get their share of commission,” he alleged.
Kejriwal further accused the government of deliberately avoiding action against such establishments. “This is an extortionist government. They do not want to act because if action is taken, their commission will stop,” Kejriwal said, adding that operators of illegal businesses function fearlessly as they believe no action will be taken against them due to the protection they receive.
Kejriwal also questioned how the owners of the nightclub were able to flee the country within hours of the incident. “This is not possible without the collusion of the government,” he alleged, claiming that illegal activities continued because “powerful people have bought the government by paying commission.”
The AAP leader demanded accountability and strict action, alleging that the government’s failure to enforce the law had led to the tragedy and put public lives at risk.
