City has nothing to say about the new Fire Act
Not a single objection or suggestion from the public to the stringent law that grants immense power to fire officers; today is the last day for submitting your views ……..RAVIKIRAN DESHMUKH
The fire officer is set to assume a position of incredible power. He will be able to halt traffic, cut off water supply to any area and even pull down any structure he deems a hazard. And these are only a few of the provisions of the Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act. Surprisingly, though the state urban development department had invited suggestions and objections from the public on the actthe deadline for which is todaynot a single person has responded.
The act was passed by the state legislature in 2006 and given presidential consent last year, but before implementing the provisions, the state published the rules last month for public viewing.
Besides offering sweeping powers to fire officers, the act also protects them. A citizen or company aggrieved by action taken by them will not find easy to get stay order from a court. As per the provisions, only the Metropolitan Magistrates Court in a city like Mumbai, or First Class Judicial Magistrate at other places, can try an offence punishable under the act.
Further, no court can grant a stay against action taken by a fire officer in a critical moment, and this includes eviction, provision of water supply as well as removal of dangerous goods.
For more details and to file your suggestions, visit www.maharashtrafireservices.org.
UNDER THE ACT
UNDER THE ACT
Provisions for fire officers
* The fire officer will be empowered to enter any premises for inspection of fire safety equipment by giving a three-hour notice
* He will issue a notice if not satisfied by the safety of the premises/building
* He will seal a building or premises if it is found unsafe in the event of a fire. He can also ask concerned authorities to cut power or water supply to the building
* He can ask police officers to evict persons forcefully if they are unwilling to vacate the premises at a critical time
* The officer will enjoy sweeping powers to halt traffic, provision of supply of water to control fires, movement of people in any area, etc. He can also pull down a structure and/or break into any premises for passage of firefighting equipments
* He will issue a notice if not satisfied by the safety of the premises/building
* He will seal a building or premises if it is found unsafe in the event of a fire. He can also ask concerned authorities to cut power or water supply to the building
* He can ask police officers to evict persons forcefully if they are unwilling to vacate the premises at a critical time
* The officer will enjoy sweeping powers to halt traffic, provision of supply of water to control fires, movement of people in any area, etc. He can also pull down a structure and/or break into any premises for passage of firefighting equipments
What qualifies as an offence
* Failure by the owner or occupier to provide and maintain fire prevention and life safety equipment in good repair and efficient condition
* Tampering with, altering, removing or causing any injury or damage to fire prevention and life safety equipment
* Failure to remove objects or goods likely to cause the risk of fire
* Obstructing entry to a person for inspection or molesting such a person after entry
* Failure to comply with a notice directing the owner or occupier to undertake measures regarding fire prevention and life safety
* Tampering with, altering, removing or causing any injury or damage to fire prevention and life safety equipment
* Failure to remove objects or goods likely to cause the risk of fire
* Obstructing entry to a person for inspection or molesting such a person after entry
* Failure to comply with a notice directing the owner or occupier to undertake measures regarding fire prevention and life safety
Punishment for offenders
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