Telangana Proposes Strict Penalties, Fire Tax Under Revised Fire Services Act

The Telangana government has proposed stringent penal provisions, including a three-year prison term and a Rs 5 lakh penalty, if negligence leads to the loss of human life in a fire accident. The measures are part of revised draft amendments to the Telangana Fire Services Act, 1999, which may be taken up for clearance in the upcoming monsoon session of the state legislative assembly.

The draft proposals also introduce a six-month jail term alongside a Rs 1 lakh penalty for any act that endangers life or personal safety. In addition, the government has mooted the collection of a dedicated 'fire tax' from citizens, structured on the lines of property tax collected by civic bodies across the state.

The revised framework comes in response to instances where individuals or organisations avoided accountability following major fire accidents that caused fatalities and significant property damage. Under the proposed provisions, tampering with, removing, or breaking the seal of electrical equipment will also be treated as an offence punishable by a six-month jail sentence and a Rs 1 lakh fine.

According to the draft regulations, both building owners and occupiers will share the responsibility of installing required fire safety measures and maintaining them in proper working order. The Director-General of Fire Services will be granted direct authority to declare any non-compliant building unsafe by issuing a notice and to subsequently seal the premises. Currently, such enforcement powers rest with municipal authorities.

The state government has also proposed recurring financial penalties for non-compliance with administrative safety requirements. If residential welfare associations, building owners, or occupiers fail to appoint a designated 'fire safety manager', the DG of Fire Services will have the power to levy a fine of Rs 50,000 per month for the duration of the default. Penalties can also be imposed directly on property owners who fail to institute mandated precautionary safety measures.