RTI report: 60 pvt schools running without fire NOC

The recently filed RTI on fire safety in public buildings has revealed astonishing figures showcasing 60 major private schools running without the NOC from the fire department.

The fire officials have cited that while most of the schools have not applied for the renewal of license, there are also certain schools whose license were rejected due to inadequate fire safety systems.

Mohit Khatana who filed the RTI has highlighted that if the authorities fail to initiate an action, he will be taking the matter to the courts against these highlighted private schools.

"The lack of action by the authorities is resulting in most of the establishments including schools in the city getting away and not renewing their fire safety licenses,"said sources in the fire department.

Besides these schools, there are certain government establishments including the city's civil hospital that fails to have a fire safety clearance certificate.

For safety precautions, the city fire department has already started issuing notices to various establishments that are functioning without the fire safety clearance.

Recently over 200 buildings that are over 15 metres high were served notices by the Gurugram Fire department for not renewing their NOC on fire safety.

"With summers resulting in a lot of fire incidents in the city, the fire department does not want to take any chances.

We are serving a lot of establishments in the city with notices and warned them of punitive action if they do not renew their license,"said a top official from Gurugram fire department.

"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,"added the official.