Latest news with #TelanganaFireServicesAct


Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Wired for disaster: Unsafe buildings to be left in dark; following the blaze near Gulzar Houz that led to 17 deaths MA&UD proposes fire safety overhaul
HYDERABAD :Commercial buildings may soon run the risk of electricity disconnection for failure to repair defective and hazardous wiring if a proposed amendment to the Telangana Fire Services Act, 1999, comes through. Following the fire in a residential-cum-commercial building near Gulzar Houz that resulted in 17 deaths, the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) has proposed the amendments to improve safety. MA&UD has submitted the proposals to the fire department, which will discuss it with the energy department before forwarding them to the chief minister. Once approved, it will be presented in the assembly for amending the Act. The entire procedure is likely to take a few months. Under these proposed amendments, all electrical installations must be mandatorily installed under the supervision of a Chartered Electrical Safety Engineer (CESE) appointed by the govt. No certificate of compliance of fire NOC should be submitted on the online portal without attaching a certificate signed by a CESE. The owner or occupier will also have to ensure periodic audit by a CESE. If the owner fails to comply with the provisions, it will be assumed the building is unsafe and supply disconnected. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Officials said that only qualified agencies as specified in the National Building Code of India or rules made under this Act will be allowed to carry out work for fire safety. 'A major reason for fire disasters in commercial buildings is old and unsafe electrical installations. We have proposed these amendments to ensure only qualified agencies will undertake fire safety work and apply on behalf of owners/occupiers. These amendments would help in prevention of fire risks greatly,' said K Ilambarithi, secretary, Metropolitan Area & Urban Development (HMDA limits). In fact, most commercial buildings are a cause of concern during fire emergencies, primarily due to inadequate ventilation and faulty electrical installations. In places such as Feel Khana Road, Begum Bazar, Monda Market, Panjagutta, Ameerpet, Lingampally and Koti, the situation is particularly alarming, with basements filled with shops. These properties have transformed into serious fire risks owing to the concentration of shops sans appropriate fire safety measures, officials said.


Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Telangana HC sets July 16 deadline for fire service rules; warns govt over delay
HYDERABAD: The Telangana high court warned the state govt that it would summon the chief secretary over its 'lethargic approach' in finalising new rules for recruitment, promotion and transfers in the Telangana fire services department. While giving a 'final opportunity' to the govt to complete the process by July 16, a division bench of the high court said it would be constrained to summon the chief secretary if the rules were not framed by then. 'If by that time, the rules are framed, his (chief secretary) presence may not be required,' the bench said on June 16. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The bench noted that during the earlier hearing of the matter on April 21, 2025, the court was informed that a draft of the proposed rules was prepared and was under departmental approval. Taking this into account, the court granted the govt almost two months to complete the process. However, during the hearing on June 16, when the state counsel sought one more adjournment of around four weeks, the bench remarked that the govt has not moved an inch forward. The counsel produced a correspondence made by the special chief secretary to the govt with a request for taking one more adjournment of about four weeks without there being any strong ground. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo 'Seeking such a request itself clearly indicates the lethargic approach at which the govt is functioning,' said the bench. The petition was filed by three fire department employees challenging the AP Fire Services Subordinate Service Rules issued in 1992 and urged the rules be set aside to make way for the new service rules to be made under the Telangana Fire Services Act.