# Telangana proposes fire tax, 3-year jail for fatal negligence 2026-08-13T23:06:21+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Telangana has proposed a three-year jail term and Rs 5 lakh penalty for negligence causing death in a fire accident, along with a six-month term and Rs 1 lakh penalty for endangering life. The draft amendments to the Telangana Fire Services Act, 1999, also introduce a 'fire tax' on citizens, modelled on property tax, to fund firefighting equipment, infrastructure, and training. The director-general of fire services will gain powers to seal unsafe buildings, a role now held by municipal authorities. Residential welfare associations that fail to appoint a 'fire safety manager' could face Rs 50,000 monthly fines. Buildings are split into three categories: Category A requires a no-objection certificate, Category B a fire safety certificate, and Category C a self-certification. Existing buildings get one year to comply. The draft may be cleared in the upcoming assembly monsoon session. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: building safety certification, DG fire services powers, fire safety penalties, fire tax, Telangana Fire Services Act Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/telangana-proposes-fire-tax-3-year-jail-for-fatal-negligence/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/telangana-proposes-fire-tax-3-year-jail-for-fatal-negligence/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.