Self-financed Gujarat Schools that have applied for regularization of additional construction work while compliant with old fire safety norms are requesting provisional clearances to reopen as summer vacations end on June 13.
This request comes amid a crackdown on schools and other premises by various civic bodies due to alleged violations of construction norms and fire safety measures following the deadly Rajkot TRP Game Zone fire, which resulted in 27 deaths, including children.
Current Situation and Requests by Gujarat Schools:
Schools Sealed During the fire safety drive, over 600 schools across the state were sealed for lack of fire objection certificates (NOCs) and building use clearances (BUCs).
The Self-Finance School Management Association (SFSMA) is asking the commissioner of schools to allow schools that have fire NOCs but are pending BUCs or regularization under the Impact Fee Act to open.
They propose that these schools be allowed to operate at the owner’s risk after submitting an affidavit stating that unused building parts are awaiting regularization.
Many schools have pending applications for regularization for over a year. Some delays are exacerbated by the arrest of officers handling these applications concerning the TRP gaming zone fire case.
Impact of New Fire Safety Norms on Gujarat Schools:
Under the 2019 norms, buildings required fire NOCs if they were 23 meters high. The 2023 norms now require fire NOCs for buildings nine meters high and have a built-up area of 500 square meters, affecting many schools that previously did not need such clearances.
Schools need time to comply with the new norms, and civic bodies are also taking time to process applications for these clearances.
Response from Authorities:
There have been complaints about the lack of notice before sealing buildings, which some argue should be reserved for emergencies.
SFSMA president Bharat Gajipara cited his school in Rajkot, which was sealed due to a tin-sheet roof on the terrace despite having BUP and fire NOC. After submitting an affidavit not to use that part, the Rajkot Municipal Corporation broke the seal.
Broader Implications:
The Rajkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has also made representations, demanding that traders and businessmen not be harassed during the ongoing drive.
Rajkot Municipal Commissioner Devang Desai stated that a committee has been formed to process fire NOC applications, prioritizing schools and hospitals. Out of approximately 440 sealed premises, around 200 had applied for clearances, and seals have been broken for around 120 of them.
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