Question : Fire and Emergency Services

(a) whether the Government has any scheme for strengthening of Fire and
Emergency Services in the country and if so, the details thereof along with the funds provided in this regard during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(b) whether there is a shortage of fire stations and non supply of uniforms and necessary equipments for fire fighters, if so, the details thereof and the action taken in this regard, State-wise;

(c) whether any penalty provision exists in care fire safety rules are violated and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the other measures taken by the Government for modernisation of fire and emergency services in the States along with the steps taken to ensure implementation of prescribed guidelines of fire safety in all institutions/ buildings?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*256 FOR 15.03.2016.

(a) & (b): The Fire Services have been included as a Municipal function under Article 243 (W) in the XII Schedule of the Constitution of India. It is the primary responsibility of the municipal bodies themselves and the State Governments to allocate sufficient resources for strengthening and equipping Fire Services with modern gadgets and technologies and to take various steps required for safety of life and property of the citizens in the area of their jurisdiction. The Government of India supplement the efforts of State Governments from time to time by providing funds.

The Government of India had provided Rs. 176.56 crore under the Scheme of “Strengthening of Fire and Emergency Services in the country” during the period 2009-13 to the States. Apart from this, Rs. 34.00 crore to 17 States/UTs at the rate of Rs. 2.00 Crore each under the Scheme of “Modernization of Fire Services in the country” during the period 2014-2016 have also been released. Now, the Centrally Sponsored Schemes have been subsumed in the State Funds with effect from 1st April, 2015. However, assistance to UTs with legislature for modernizing fire services have been continued in the current financial year from the Central Budget. The details of the funds released are at Annexure-I and Annexure-II.
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L.S.S.Q.NO.*256 FOR 15.3.2016

The Central Government do not maintain any data about the shortage of the fire fighting equipment, personnel and fire tender/vehicles in the country, as it is not a central subject. However, according to one study passed out in 2011 there was a 65% deficiency in terms of Fire Stations.
(c): Fire services are primarily handled by the municipal bodies and State Governments in accordance with the prevailing State Fire Safety Acts and Rules. Details of penalty provisions under respective State Acts and Rules are not maintained centrally.
(d): The Ministry of Home Affairs plays an advisory role in effective maintenance and modernization of fire services. The Standing Fire Advisory Council (SFAC) under the Chairpersonship of Directorate General (Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards) have laid down norms for establishment of Fire Stations, Equipment, manpower and fire tenders/

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L.S.S.Q.NO.*256 FOR 15.3.2016

vehicles. These norms recommended by the SFAC are advisory in nature and it is upto State Government to implement these norms as per the available resources. The National Building Code of India, published by the Bureau of Indian Standards also covers the detailed guidelines for construction, maintenance and fire safety of the buildings.

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