Now Reading: Telangana proposes fire tax, 3-year jail for fatal negligence
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Telangana proposes fire tax, 3-year jail for fatal negligence
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…
The Story in Brief
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.
The Indian Opinion
The Telangana government's fire law draft is right to target negligence, but a 'fire tax' on citizens raises eyebrows when infrastructure is already funded through property tax. The loudest rhetoric will paint this as yet another revenue grab without proof that existing funds were well spent. The real test will be the fine print: what share of the Fire Prevention Fund goes to equipment versus administration, and whether tax rates match those of property tax or exceed them.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
