Four years on, fire safety bill remains on the back burner

Panaji: Amid the intense scrutiny on Goa’s nightclubs and restaurants for flouting fire safety norms, a crucial bill that seeks to plug regulatory gaps in the existing laws is gathering dust with state govt.The directorate of fire and emergency services (DFES) drafted a new Goa Fire and Emergency Bill to replace the three-decade-old Goa, Daman and Diu Fire Force Act, 1986. Drafted in line with the Union home ministry’s model bill on fire safety, the bill was supposed to enhance compliance pertaining to fires, e-governance, and public safety.Though the draft bill was submitted to state govt for consideration and passage through the state legislative assembly, the legislation appears to have been put on the back burner.

The department wants the current Goa, Daman and Diu Fire Force Act to be repealed.“In the meantime, we have issued new guidelines to enhance fire safety,” director of fire services, Nitin Raiker, said.According to the department’s plan, the bill was supposed to get the assembly’s approval in 2021, while the rules and notification under the bill were supposed to come months after.“At the national-level, they formulated a model fire and emergency act.

There are new sections that have been added pertaining to fires, e-governance, and public safety. We saw what is lacking in our act and have incorporated what is required,” said former DFES director Ashok Menon.He said that the new bill was supposed to bring uniformity across all states with regards to fire safety while also introducing punishable offences and punitive measures for fire safety violations.A department source said that though the bill and its rules are of high priority, they require timely clearance, particularly administrative approvals and expenditure sanction by the state govt. Sources said the legislation is unlikely to come up in the winter session of the assembly and could remain pending for close to five years due to a delay in administrative clearances.