Many industrial units seldom consider getting a No Objection Certificate’ from the Department of Fire Services a necessary. This is almost an acceptable trend, especially by those dealing in not-so-hazardous products. The necessity of such an exercise gains prominence only after an accident occurs, by which time the blame game would have started on ‘who is right’ and not on ‘what is right’.
Only 60 of the 250-odd industrial units in Chittoor district have obtained the NOC from the Fire department, which is a pointer not only to the minimal compliance levels but also to the lackadaisical attitude of the law-enforcing authorities. Three companies — Jain Irrigation Systems (Gangadhara Nellore), KNN Foods (Gudipala) and Galla Foods (Puthalapattu) — got down to act only after their respective plants were gutted and cases were slapped on them for non-compliance. The first two got their NOCs, while the third is still in the process.
More often than not, the Fire department is in the dark about the existence of an industrial unit. This is especially conspicuous in case of newly launched units, which do not volunteer to apply for the NOC. As part of promotion, the Industries department acts as a single window and gives away the certificates, keeping the Fire department out of the picture. “Mostly, we do not know that an industrial unit exists at a remote place, until they call us up in emergency,” explains Chittoor District Fire Officer Chowdepalle Peddi Reddy.
Fortunately, not many major incidents have been witnessed in the recent times in the district. A massive fire broke out at the Malladi Drugs pharmaceutical unit in the Gajulamandyam industrial estate in Renigunta mandal six months back, reportedly due to cylinder blast. The Jain Irrigation’s plant was gutted some five years back, which raised concern on fire safety measures followed by the industry. The adherence levels pertaining to the building code, entry/exit points, life safety measures and the presence of fire fighting equipment depending on the combustible nature of the products they handle are abysmally low.
Agreed, ease of doing business and single window permission are welcome steps to woo the industry but the government should strike a balance between rolling out a red carpet and ensuring legal compliance.