RTI: Only 5 out of 128 govt schools in Ggm district have fire safety permit

Gurugram: In a report that has come from the RTI, only five out of 128 government schools in Gurugram district have fire safety permits, shows information shared by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) in response to a query filed under the RTI Act by activist Aseem Takyar. The MCG, last Friday, wrote that 128 government schools did not have a valid NOC, and objections had been issued for the same.

As per the Haryana Fire Service Act, all educational institutions must have a NOC, without which a building is not deemed fit to tackle a potential fire hazard. Assistant divisional fire safety officer IS Kashyap said, "Government schools don't have any valid NOCs. After the Surat fire tragedy (2019), we surveyed

all schools and coaching institutes. Some never applied, while others were not able to meet the norms."

"Government schools may not have all the safety equipment, but they do have their own arrangements. For

example, all schools may not have sand buckets, but they have earthen pots that can be used when needed. Government schools are spacious and there is enough open area for students to escape," said Premlata Yadav, the district education officer.

For safety precautions, the city fire department has already started issuing notices to various establishments that are functioning without the fire safety clearance. "As per law, major establishments in the city have to renew their licences after every year. However, many establishments in the city do not renew their licences and continue to play with the lives of the people in the city. While the fire department is expected to take action, even the residents must put pressure on these establishments," said a senior official from the fire department.