Question : FIRE INCIDENTS



(a) whether a number of cases of fire incidents have been reported in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the total number of such cases reported and persons killed/injured along with the funds granted/utilised for modernisation of fire fighting services during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise including the NCT of Delhi; and

(c) the effective measures taken by the Government to check such incidents in future particularly in high rise buildings?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)

(a) & (b): Fire Services is a State subject and has been included as a municipal function in the XII Schedule of the Constitution of India in terms of Article 243-W. As such, it is the primary responsibility of the State Governments to take necessary action to prevent the fire accidents.

However, NDMA in its guideline on “Scaling Type of Equipment and Training of Fire Services” have mentioned that number of fire incidents have been increasing year by year. Some of the major fire incidents that occurred in the past four decades as contained in these guidelines are at Annexure I.

Government of India is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme at a cost of Rs. 200 crore for ‘Strengthening of Fire & Emergency Services in the Country’.

The Scheme attempts to fill the existing gaps in the fire fighting and rescue capability through introduction of modern technology such as Advanced Fire Tenders, High Pressure Pump with Mist Technology, Quick Response Team Vehicle, Combi Tools for Search & rescue and capacity building of various stakeholders. State wise details of funds released to State Government during last three years under the “Scheme of Strengthening of Fire and Emergency Services” in the country is given at Annexure – II. The Government of NCT of Delhi is not covered under this scheme.

13th Finance Commission has also recommended an allocation of Rs. 472 crore to the 7 States namely Andhra Pradesh (Rs. 17 crore), Haryana (100 crore), Mizoram (Rs. 20 crore), Odisha (Rs. 150 crore), Tripura (Rs. 15 crore), Uttar Pradesh (Varanasi, Rs. 20 crore) and West Bengal (Rs. 150 crore) for strengthening of Fire & Emergency Services. Government of India has already released 1st installments of the grant of Rs. 124.39 crore to the above mentioned 7 States.

(C): The Government of India renders technical advice on Fire Prevention, Fire Protection and Training etc. The Bureau of Indian Standards under the Department of Consumer Affairs in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has published National Building Code of India which covers the detailed guidelines for construction, maintenance and fire safety of the structure including high rise building. The States are expected to incorporate the guidelines given in the National Building Code into their local building Bye-laws for fire and life safety. In addition, Director General of Civil Defence (Fire) (DGCD) has issued advisories to the States and Union Territories to ensure implementation of Fire Safety Guidelines.