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 âScaling Type of Equipment and
Training of Fire Servicesâ 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 âStrengthening of Fire & Emergency Services
in the Countryâ.
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 âScheme of
Strengthening of Fire and Emergency Servicesâ in the country is given
at Annexure â 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.