Chandigarh admin issues notices to 40 coaching centres

CHANDIGARH: In the wake of fire tragedy killing 19 students in Surat, the UT Administration and Municipal Corporation on Tuesday carried out inspection drive in different coaching centres of the city.
The team headed by Nazuk Kumar, Sub Divisional Magistrate (Central) UT, Chandigarh, issued notices to 40 coaching centres. The notices were issued to coaching centres in Sector 24 and 25.
The violations like no fire-extinguishers, electricity boxes at the entrance of coaching centres at stairs and inadequate escape routes, were spotted by the team.
“Taking cognizance of grave and emergency situation, notices under Section 133, CrPC have been issued to these coaching centres, whereby they have been directed to obtain Fire Safety NOC within 30 days, failing which they will be liable to sealing and action under law. These drives will also be carried out regularly and no laxity will be tolerated,” says Nazuk Kumar, Sub Divisional Magistrate (Central).
Similar kind of notices were issued in Gujarat under public nuisance as it requires immediate action. Separate notices for fire safety violations will be issued by the Municipal Corporation, she added.
Anil Garg, MC Joint Commissioner, who is also holding charge of Chief Fire Officer (CFO), said different teams have been formed and they all will submit their report on fire safety violations by June 3. After getting report, the fire safety violation notices will be served to violators, he assured.
Inspection team included Sub Fire Officers from Fire and Emergency Services, MC Chandigarh and Sub-Inspector Enforcement, Estate Office, Chandigarh. Most coaching centres were found to be in violation of fire safety norms with inadequate escape routes and partitions made of flammable material. Electricity meters, prone to fires, have been installed on these escape routes.