Denying fire safety norms info is breach of RTI: CIC

Times of India: New Delhi: Monday, 08 September 2014.

Information regarding fire safety preparedness/inspection records of a building must be disclosed urgently since it is related to life and liberty of people, Central Information Commission has ruled.

The ruling may result in greater transparency in the working of Delhi Fire Services (DFS) and make city's highrises safer. The order came after a refusal by DFS to furnish information on fire safety to an RTI applicant.

Information commissioner M Sridhar Acharyulu, in his order made public last week, passed stringent remarks against DFS, reminding it about the Uphaar fire tragedy to emphasize how civil and criminal liabilities can be pinned on errant employees.

"Information regarding fire safety norms is life-related information. DFS has committed a grave breach of RTI by exhibiting an adamant attitude and denying information about inspection records of fire safety norms in Delhi. Their attitude fortifies apprehensions of corruption in selectively applying the fire norms and issuance of no objection certificate?and using or not using the powers of disconnecting water and power to the buildings which did not comply with the norms," the CIC bench said on appeals filed by social activist, Suman Jain.

"In this context, it is relevant to refer to Uphaar Cinema tragedy that happened mainly because safety measures were neglected, while safety rules weren't enforced by concerned departments of the government," it added.

In her RTI, Jain sought copies of inspection report conducted by DFS in her premises on Asaf Ali Road. She also inquired about buildings located on the road that require fire safety measures and details of those which have been issued NOC/ Fire Safety Certificate, having water tanks of a capacity of 50 thousand litres.

Jain's last RTI sought to know about the number of buildings in Delhi constructed prior to 1983 requiring fire safety certificate and details of buildings given such certificates. Unhappy with responses furnished by DFS, she had appealed before CIC.

Referring to several Supreme Court and high court verdicts, including the Uphaar Fire tragedy case, CIC allowed Jain's three appeals and directed the DFS to provide inspection reports. It further slapped a show-cause penalty demanding an explanation why DFS officials shouldn't be fined for suppressing information.