Mir Farhat
SRINAGAR, Dec 17: With fire engulfing parts of the Valley’s premier hospitals, questions are being raised about the absence of Fire Safety Act (FSA) in the State.
The Government has not passed the new Act since 1967, abolishing the “redundant” Act that exists since decades.
The Fire and Emergency, and Law Departments contradict each other in receiving the report about the ‘new Act’.
G M Bhat, Director General of Fire and Emergency Services (FES) claimed the department has prepared a report on new Act in which rules have been suggested to prevent fire incidents in the State, especially places frequented by public.
“We have prepared a report about new Act after thoroughly studying the Acts of other States and have suggested rules so that the evil may be nipped in the bud. The 1967 Fire Safety Act is redundant which has rendered us powerless,” said Bhat.
Bhat said the report (on framing new Act) has been handed over to the Law Department for assessment last year, and hoped that it would be passed in the coming Assembly Session in March.
However, Secretary Law Department Mohammad Ashraf Mir said they have not received any such report from Fire and Emergency Department, raising a question mark over the department’s claim.
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