MP Fire Safety Act stuck in bureaucratic logjam:Officials yet to act despite nod from 2 ministers and law dept

“Fire brigades arrived one to one-and-a-half hours late. If they had reached on time, some lives could have been saved. The water tankers were empty, one driver entered the wrong lane, and they didn’t even have a ladder.” These allegations were made by Indore resident Saurabh Pugalia to Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav after a devastating fire broke out on the night of March 17–18 in the Brijeshwari Annexe area. The blaze claimed the lives of eight members of a single family, including businessman Manoj Pugalia. Family members and residents of the colony accused the fire department not only of delayed response but also of serious mismanagement and negligence during rescue operations. While the state government has ordered an inquiry and assured reforms, the incident has once again highlighted deep-rooted flaws in the fire safety system. Seven-year delay despite Central model law The bigger concern is that Madhya Pradesh still does not have a comprehensive Fire Safety Act in place. In 2019, the central government circulated a model Fire Safety Act draft to all states to ensure uniformity in fire safety regulations across the country. While 26 states have already implemented similar laws, Madhya Pradesh continues to lag behind. The delay is not due to lack of political will alone. Instead, bureaucratic hurdles and institutional resistance appear to have stalled the process for over seven years. How the fire safety proposal got stuck: A timeline 2019: Model draft introduced On September 16, 2019, the central government sent a model Fire Act draft to all states. The Urban Development and Housing Department in Madhya Pradesh forwarded it to the Directorate of Urban Administration, which prepared a state-level proposal based on the model draft. After an initial presentation, officials suggested revisions. 2020: Approval granted, then withdrawn The revised draft was approved by the then Urban Development Minister, Jaivardhan Singh, and sent to the Law Department for clearance. However, senior bureaucrats later withdrew the proposal, arguing that existing provisions under the Madhya Pradesh Land Development Rules, 2012, already covered fire safety requirements. 2021: Major fire incidents renew urgency Two major fire incidents shook the state in 2021. A fire at Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal resulted in the death of eight infants, while another massive blaze at Satpura Bhawan required assistance from the Army to control. Following these incidents, the then Chief Secretary reviewed the situation and directed officials to expedite the Fire Safety Act. The proposal was revived and sent again through administrative channels, receiving initial approvals before being forwarded once more to the Law Department. 2023: Legal clearance but no implementation On April 17, 2023, the Law Department approved the modified draft of the Fire Safety Act. Despite this clearance, the proposal was not presented before the committee of senior secretaries for final approval. Instead, it was sent back for further revisions, effectively putting it on hold again. 2025: New draft under review A newly revised version, titled “Fire Act 2025,” has now been prepared and presented before a committee headed by the Chief Secretary. However, sources claim that the committee was not informed that an earlier version had already received legal clearance in 2023. The draft is currently under examination by the Finance Department, further delaying its implementation. Why officials are reluctant According to sources, resistance from within the Urban Development Department is a major reason behind the delay. The central model draft proposes structural changes that could significantly alter the current administrative framework. One of the key provisions is the creation of a separate Fire Directorate at the state level. This would reduce the control of the Urban Development Department over fire services. Additionally, fire services would no longer remain under municipal bodies such as municipal corporations and councils. The proposed law also mandates Fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for large political and religious events, increasing regulatory oversight. These changes are believed to have triggered reluctance among officials who may lose administrative authority under the new system. Government assures early implementation The issue has also been raised in the state assembly. In response to concerns over rising fire incidents, Urban Administration Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya stated that the government is working on the Fire Safety Act based on the central model draft. He assured that the law could be finalized within two to three months. The minister also emphasized improving emergency response systems, stating that the government aims to ensure fire tenders reach incident sites within 10 minutes. For this, data on the need for additional fire stations has been sought from municipal bodies. Key provisions of the Proposed Fire Safety Act 1. Mandatory fire NOC for more buildings Under the proposed law, buildings taller than 9 meters will require a Fire NOC, reducing the earlier threshold of 15 meters. This will bring more structures under fire safety regulations. Violations may attract penalties of up to ₹10,000. 2. Fire clearance for public events Organizers of public events will be required to obtain Fire NOCs and submit declarations about fire safety arrangements. Providing false information could lead to sealing of the venue, a fine of ₹10,000, and imprisonment of up to three months. 3. Annual safety certification Buildings will need to install fire safety systems such as automatic sprinklers, alarms, and other equipment. A utility certificate confirming compliance will have to be renewed annually. 4. Creation of fire directorate and cadre The law proposes setting up a dedicated Fire Directorate at the state level. A new fire services cadre will be created by merging personnel from police and municipal departments. Each fire station will be headed by a designated fire officer. 5. Mandatory fire officers in high-risk buildings Factories, warehouses, and high-rise buildings will be required to appoint qualified fire safety officers with formal training or degrees in fire engineering. 6. Power for surprise inspections Fire officials will have the authority to conduct inspections of buildings with just three hours’ notice. They will not require prior administrative approval, and building owners will not be allowed to obstruct inspections. Conclusion: A critical law delayed Despite multiple approvals, repeated revisions, and clear need, the Fire Safety Act in Madhya Pradesh remains stuck in administrative delays. Recent tragedies like the Indore fire underline the urgent need for a robust legal framework to ensure accountability and preparedness. The continued delay raises serious concerns about governance and priorities, especially when public safety is at stake. Until the law is implemented, gaps in fire safety enforcement are likely to persist, leaving citizens vulnerable to avoidable disasters.