The High Court of Uttarakhand has directed the state government to submit its reply within four weeks regarding the non-availability of basic fire fighting equipment in all government and private schools, banks and offices in the state.
This direction was issued by the division bench of chief justice Ramesh Ranganathan and justice Alok Kumar Verma. The next hearing in the case will be held on February 11.
As per the case details, Khatima resident Vinod had written a letter to the chief justice stating that educational institutions, banks and offices in the state lacked fire safety systems. In places where such equipment has been placed, the condition of the equipment is not up to mark. In places there is no water while in other places there are no fire extinguishers. The petitioner had also stated that the fire service office is not issuing licenses. The high court accepted this letter in the form of a public interest litigation. Taking cognisance of the issues stated in it, the division bench of the high court has directed the state government to submit its response within four weeks.
