Hyderabad: Telangana govt has proposed a three-year jail term and a Rs 5 lakh penalty if any negligent act results in the loss of human life in a fire accident. Similarly, the offender will be punished with a six-month jail term and a Rs 1 lakh penalty for endangering life or personal safety. Also, govt has proposed collecting a ‘fire tax’ from citizens on the lines of property tax being levied by civic bodies.In the wake of citizens or organisations going scot-free even after major fire accidents resulting in deaths and property loss, Telangana has revised its draft amendments to the Telangana Fire Services Act, 1999, which might be cleared in the upcoming assembly monsoon sessions. If any person removes or tampers with or breaks the seal of electric equipment, the person would be liable for a six-month jail term and a Rs 1 lakh penalty, the draft states.Govt said both the owner or occupier should provide fire safety measures in the building and maintain them in good condition. The director-general of fire services (DG, fire services) would now be empowered to declare a building unsafe by issuing a notice and can seal the buildings. As of now, the municipal authorities have powers; now the DG would get powers to act.The state has also proposed huge penalties if residential welfare associations or owners or occupiers of a building fail to appoint a ‘fire safety manager’, the DG fire services might impose a Rs 50,000 fine on the association for each month of the default period and can impose a fine if any owner fails to take precautions. The draft said that if a qualified fire and life safety auditor proves that a false report was issued to the building where a fire outbreak happened, they would also be punished.Govt has proposed a ‘Fire Prevention and Life Safety Fund’ under the control of DG, fire services. “All fees, penalties, and other amounts recovered will be credited to the fund. The amount will be utilised for the procurement of fire-fighting equipment, infrastructure and training,” the draft said. It has also proposed collecting a ‘fire tax’ from people for the infrastructure and other facilities on the lines of property tax being levied by the civic bodies.For the purpose of granting licences and risk, the fire services department has categorised buildings into three categories. Category A buildings would require a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the fire services department, while category B buildings need fire safety certificate and category C ones need a self-certification. Govt would notify the cateogory of buildings separately.Buildings not covered under Category A might have to apply for fire safety certificates. They would be issued by a qualified fire and life safety auditor on fire prevention, fire protection, and life safety measures prescribed by govt. For existing buildings, one year would be given to produce the certificate, which should be renewed from time to time. If anyone violates these provisions, the person would be liable for prosecution. For category C buildings, only a self-certification of compliance with fire and life safety measures would be enough, the draft added.
