In the midst of heightened inspections targeting nightclubs and restaurants in Goa for violating fire safety regulations, a critical piece of legislation designed to modernize the state's outdated laws remains stalled with the government. The proposed Goa Fire and Emergency Bill, intended to replace a three-decade-old act, is facing significant delays, raising concerns about public safety.
New Bill Drafted to Replace Archaic Law
The Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) took the initiative to draft a comprehensive new bill, the Goa Fire and Emergency Bill. This legislation was created to supersede the Goa, Daman and Diu Fire Force Act of 1986, which has been in effect for over 36 years. The draft was meticulously prepared in alignment with the Union Home Ministry's model bill on fire safety.
According to former DFES director Ashok Menon, the new bill incorporates crucial updates. "At the national-level, they formulated a model fire and emergency act. There are new sections that have been added pertaining to fires, e-governance, and public safety. We identified the shortcomings in our existing act and incorporated the necessary provisions," Menon explained. The bill aims to bring uniformity in fire safety standards across states and introduce clear punishable offences and penalties for violations.
Legislative Process Stalled Indefinitely
Despite its importance, the draft bill's journey has been halted after being submitted to the state government for consideration and passage in the legislative assembly. Internal plans within the department envisioned the bill receiving the assembly's approval in 2021, with the accompanying rules and notifications to follow in the subsequent months. However, this timeline has been completely derailed.
Department sources indicate that while the bill and its rules are a high priority, they require timely administrative approvals and expenditure sanctions from the state government. Due to delays in these clearances, the legislation is not expected to be tabled in the upcoming winter session of the assembly. Alarmingly, sources suggest the bill could remain pending for nearly five years because of these procedural bottlenecks.
Interim Measures and Ongoing Risks
With the new bill in limbo, fire safety authorities are relying on interim guidelines. Nitin Raiker, the current director of fire services, stated, "In the meantime, we have issued new guidelines to enhance fire safety." These measures are an attempt to bridge the gap while the overarching legal framework remains outdated.
The delay occurs against a backdrop of intense public and official scrutiny on entertainment venues in Goa. The existing 1986 Act is widely seen as inadequate to address modern fire safety challenges, especially in high-occupancy establishments like nightclubs and large restaurants. The stagnation of the new bill leaves a significant regulatory void, potentially compromising public safety as the state waits for a legal upgrade that is stuck in administrative gridlock.
