AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat high court Tuesday came down heavily on the state authorities and municipal companies for non-compliance using its previous orders associated with fire safety in schools, hospitals and other structures, also stated it had been serious about fixing duty of officers to the matter. A division bench of Justices Bela Trivedi and Bhargav D Karia stated it looks like the police have not complied or partly complied with its previous instructions as several buildings, such as hospitals, are all still conducting without legal fire security no-objection certificates (NOCs). The court was hearing a PIL proceeded by urge Amit Panchal to a spate of fire events at hospitals in Gujarat from yesteryear. These comprised Covid-19 hospitals at which many patients lost their own lives. 1 such catastrophe happened early this month in a hospital at Bharuch in south Gujarat in which 16 Covid-19 sufferers and 2 nurses were murdered in a catastrophic blaze. Seeing that there are still numerous buildings with no BU (construction usage ) permissions and flame security NOCs, ” the court stated,”We are extremely much serious about repairing the duty of the officers. It was happening for a long time. When specific instructions were given to businesses, nagarpalikas (municipalities), everyone to visit it all of the provisions have been strictly complied with, and then no action has been taken?” “When the issue comes before the court, it moves order, provides directions. Then no actions, again there’s a lull stage, and nothing occurs. What happens to this court’s instructions given from time to time? The Supreme Court has come down quite heavily on this particular matter. Amount of conclusions. And no action had been taken. Therefore, we’ll finally have to correct the liability about the officers,” the seat further said. The court had previously directed the authorities and neighborhood civic bodies to make certain that fire safety steps have been employed in most buildings in Gujarat, particularly in schools, hospitals and industrial components, and requested them to follow several provisions regarding the issue. It’d also impressed with the state authorities to embrace the Clinical Establishment Act, 2010, to guarantee minimum criteria to all institutions providing health care providers. The HC requested the state authorities and municipal companies”to prepare a chart/table giving specifics regarding the compliance, non-compliance and partial compliance with the directions issued by it on December 15, 2020 and February 26, 2021. The court stated they can also file additional affidavits should they desired, and maintained the matter for further hearing on June 1.
Fire Safety: HC slams Gujarat, civic bodies
