JDA yet to deposit fire cess in JMC’s account

Jaipur: As dispute over the collection of fire cess remains unresolved, city mayor Ashok Lahoti has written a letter to the state government and demanded to direct the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) for depositing the amount in the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) account.

In a recent meeting chaired by the urban development and housing (UDH) minister Srichand Kriplani, the proposal of transferring the fire cess collected by the (JDA) to the JMC was given approval. Since long, both the departments have locked horns over the collection of fire cess from the residents. The issue was resolved after the minister's decision. However, the JDA has not transferred money in JMC's account till date.

A senior JMC official said, "The JDA has recently transferred 536 colonies to JMC for carrying out maintenance. However, it has not deposited fire cess that was collected from the residents."

The cash-strapped JMC in past also had written a letter to the JDA to transfer the cess. According to sources, in five years the JDA collected nearly Rs 5 crore from the plot owners.

"The minister directed that fire cess should be deposited in JMC's account. But nothing has been done in this regard," added source.

In present scenario, the JDA is levying Rs 100 per sq metre fire cess on building constructed above 15 feet to 40 feet.

In absence of funds, the JMC has failed to strengthen its fire department wing. At present, there are 11 fire stations having 50 fire tenders in the state capital. However, as the city is expanding and its population is increasing, the existing infrastructure is not sufficient to cater the city's requirement.

"As per National Building Code Of India, one fire tender should be deployed on population of 40,000 people. There is requirement of minimum 30 more fire tenders. Also, city should have at least 15 fire stations," said a fire department official.

The city's fire department is also not equipped to douse the fire in high -rise buildings. Sources at JMC said, " There is only only snorkel ladder with department which can douse fire upto the height of 44 meters. As maps of 65 meter buildings are approved, the fire wing should have fire- tenders that can reach upto the height of 70 meter."