Ref : E&R/Press/2005/Fire.1/JSD

CERC Asks Govt. to Install Fire Safety Devices in Schools

In a letter to State Education Minister Anandiben Patel, Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC), Ahmedabad, has stressed the need to install fire safety devices in schools in Gujarat.

Reviving the memory of Kumbhakonam tragedy in Tamil Nadu, where 60 schoolchildren had died due to fire in a school kitchen, CERC requested the minister “not allow the happening of any such incident in Gujarat. 60 per cent of the schools in Gujarat do not have any fire safety device or fire protection arrangement. Lives of about 20 lakh students in the State are at stake for want of fire safety device, poor electric wiring and unsafe electrical installations, improper sanitation, poor maintenance of school buildings, attached canteen and negligence of canteen operators and the like.”

The President of India, Dr.Abdul Kalam, had issued circulars to all the Chief Secretaries of the States of India that preventive measures should be taken so that in the future such casualties are avoided, CERC pointed out in the letter.

The earthquake in 2001 damaged many school buildings in the State. Except some touching up and white washing, the condition of the buildings remains the same, the ruptured electric wires could trigger fire in the buildings, CERC said.

Considering the above facts, CERC appealed to the minister to take necessary action to install fire protection devices, ladder, etc. so that no such incidents occur.

Date : 07/01/2005
Place : Ahmedabad

Pritee Shah
Editor
INSIGHT - The Consumer Magazine

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CONSUMER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CENTRE
“Suraksha Sankool”, Thaltej, Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway, Ahmedabad - 380 054 (INDIA)
Phone: 079-27489945-46 Fax: 079-27489947
E-mail: cerc@wilnetonline.net
Web Site: http://www.cercindia.org
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