New Delhi, June 4 -- The fire at a bed and breakfast in Hauz Rani has raised questions about two recent Delhi government policies proposing relaxed certification - one on bed and breakfasts and another on fire safety. On May 27, the government proposed a framework allowing building owners to obtain fire clearances through empanelled private auditors rather than Delhi Fire Services inspections, limiting it to periodic random checks. Experts warned this can compromise independence, against the backdrop of over 20 blazes killing 89 people in Delhi in five months, including fires at Palam and Vivek Vihar. "Ease of doing business is a very good principle and is needed, but it cannot be at the cost of responsibility towards the citizen. There must be stringent norms, especially related to fire and other safety hazards and violations that need to be checked by the local bodies regularly through enforcement mechanisms," said PS Uttarwar, retired additional commissioner of Delhi Development Authority. The draft Bed & Breakfast Policy 2026 allows residential properties with up to eight rooms and 16 beds to operate via online registration and self-certification - contrasting the inspection-heavy 2007 framework. The Hauz Rani homestay had 26 rooms against a sanctioned six. Experts said the government was possibly trying to reduce procedural hurdles and expanding tourism infrastructure but the relaxed regime would fan rampant violations, especially instances where b-n-b owners, who are supposed to reside in the buildings, run them as de-facto hotels. "A city where unauthorised floors are routinely added and residential properties converted into commercial without approval requires stronger oversight, not merely easier certification," said Sarika Panda, urban planner and founder Trustee of Raahgiri Foundation....