India, Oct. 2 -- Establishments found operating without mandatory fire-safety compliance and government approvals will now have to pay an annual fire and emergency services fee to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), with the amount linked to the built-up area of the premises.

The decision comes as the civic body intensifies its fire-safety inspections across the city, with officials finding widespread violations at coaching classes, paying guest (PG) facilities, educational buildings, warehouses, scrap shops, hospitals and other establishments.

The PMC has inspected 447 establishments in the past week as part of the ongoing drive following the directions from municipal commissioner Naval Kishore Ram.

Ganesh Sonune, chief fire officer...