- (1.) This Court, vide order dated 10.01.2019 in Writ Petition (PIL) No.1481/2018, directed the respondent State to undertake a special drive to check the efficacy of the fire fighting arrangements in all the malls and multi-storied buildings located at the divisional headquarters of the State and submit a complete report as to the deficiencies found therein and the action taken against defaulting parties. Second part of the aforesaid order dated 10.01.2019 required the State to place on record, on affidavit of the responsible officer, details of the incidents of the fire, which had taken place in the State during the year 2018 with complete particulars about the loss of life and property and also regarding availability of number of fire tenders, ladders, the equipments provided to the fire fighters including their clothes, shoes, helmets, etc. and also give the number of fire tenders, which are lying non-functional. It was also directed that the affidavit should also indicate number of the trained staff for fire fighting in different Municipalities, number of training institutes in the State undertaking the course of fire fighting and the frequency and duration of the time when such training is imparted to the firemen.
(2.) According to Mrs. Aradhna Swami, learned counsel for the petitioner, no such drive as directed by this Court in afore-referred to order, has been undertaken by the respondents. She submitted that the petitioner has filed an application bearing inward no.43810 dated 28.05.2019 inspired by a shocking and heart wrenching incident that recently took place at Surat in the State of Gujarat, in which 20 young students were burnt alive and many sustained injuries. In the application, prayer has been made for issuance of a direction to the respondent-State to form committees in every Local Authority/Municipality of the State of Rajasthan, which may inspect all coaching centres/hotels/paying-guest facilities for availability of fire safety/fire exits/fire equipments and submit the report within fifteen days. Mr. M.S. Singhvi, learned Advocate General appearing on behalf of the State of Rajasthan, submits that the respondents have filed compliance report pursuant to the order dated 10.01.2019 vide inward no.25279 dated 02.04.2019 but he fairly admits that the report does not indicate any compliance with regard to the special drive ordered by this Court to be undertaken to check the efficacy of the fire fighting arrangements in all the malls and multi-storied buildings located at divisional headquarters of the State. But other information as per direction of this Court has been produced.
(3.) The compliance report indicates that at divisional headquarter, Jaipur, there are 48 fire stations in operation and 10 are under constructions. There are total 125 fire-fighting vehicles with 425 Firemen, ten Tindals, 32 Drivers, 7 Assistant Fire Officers, 1 Fire Officer and 1 Chief Fire Officer. The fire-fighting vehicles also include 25 fire bikes. With regard to divisional headquarter, Jodhpur, the report indicates that there are 27 fire stations in operation and 5 are under construction. There are total 68 fire-fighting vehicles with 158 Firemen, 12 Tindals, 10 Drivers, 2 Assistant Fire Officer, 1 Fire Officer and 1 Chief Fire Officer. With regard to divisional headquarter, Udaipur, the report indicates that there are 25 fire stations in operation. There are total 62 fire-fighting vehicles with 112 Firemen, 6 Tindals, 20 Drivers, 3 Assistant Fire Officers, 1 Fire Officer. With regard to divisional headquarter, Kota, the report indicates that there are 13 fire stations in operation and 12 are under construction. There are total 55 fire-fighting vehicles with 205 Firemen, 1 Tindal, 5 Drivers, 2 Assistant Fire Officer and 1 Fire Officer. With regard to divisional headquarter, Bikaner, the report indicates that there are 29 fire stations in operation. There are total 54 fire-fighting vehicles with 150 Firemen, 7 Tindals, 9 Drivers, 2 Assistant Fire Officer and 1 Fire Officer. With regard to divisional headquarter, Ajmer, the report indicates that there are 28 fire stations in operation and 10 are under construction. There are total 84 fire-fighting vehicles with 161 Firemen, 8 Tindals, 23 Drivers, 2 Assistant Fire Officer and 1 Fire Officer. With regard to divisional headquarter, Bharatpur, the report indicates that there are 12 fire stations in operation and 5 are under construction. There are total 42 fire-fighting vehicles with 115 Firemen, 2 Tindals, 7 Drivers and 4 Assistant Fire Officer.;