Most of the government offices in Panjim have been found violating the fire safety norms of Fire Service Rules and National Building Code of India risking the life of workers and visitors.
According to the Fire Department officials 80% of the government offices in Panjim neither follow the conditions laid down by the department, nor renew their annual NOC which is mandatory.
The list of buildings includes Shram Shakti Bhavan and Junta House in Panjim where thousands of people visit the dozen government offices situated in the premises.
It is learned that both these buildings have the fire safety system in place but the maintenance has not been carried out for years together. The fire hydrants, fire detection system, pump house and hose reels are in place the authorities have failed to keep them functional, said the fire officer in charge of Panjim, N H Parwar.
He said that the department is conducting the annual inspections and regularly write to them to maintain the fire safety measures. “We do our work, but if they are not coordinating with us then what we can do? We don’t have authority to impose any fine or issue challan,” Parwar said.
A senior officer of the Fire Department has informed that most of the offices are not obtaining an annual NOC which needs to be renewed every year.
The officer informed that private offices and other business establishments are regular availing this NOC from the department. This helps them claim damages from the insurance companies in case of any fire accident.
The Cabo Raj Bhavan, Goa Medical College, Goa University, State Secretariat, Art & Culture and Central Library are some of the premises which annually renew their fire safety NOC on a regular basis.
The officer has informed that the department forces some of these offices to maintain the fire safety as many people frequent these government offices on a regular basis. The bad picture is witnessed at the Shram Shakti Bhavan where the fire prevention system is in place but the maintenance is lacking. Also in any emergency there is no free access for the fire tenders to reach the pump house which is behind the building. The free passage has been occupied by the vehicles which are parked inside.
Fire officer has informed that the department has also written to all the banks in Panjim to maintain their own fire prevention system.
