GOVT GUTTED Inspect bldgs annually for fire traps: Report

Mumbai: Electrical fittings in buildings must be inspected once a year and defaulters should face a heavy penalty for violations, a state government report stated. 

    The Mantralaya blaze seems to have forced the state administration to review its laws. "In the report we will recommend mandatory checks and certification of fittings by electrical inspectors of the district (for high-rises of 50 foot and above) and the power suppliers (for buildings less than 50 foot) once in a year instead of 
five years," a senior official said. "Defaulters will be made to pay higher fines to put pressure on the citizens as well as the administration by amending the Electricity Act," he added. Under the law, before commissioning power supply to a building (more than 50 foot) it is mandatory to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the area electrical engineer after a scrutiny of the power network. 
    According to experts, it is necessary to check fittings and get them certified every five years from the electrical engineer. Similarly in buildings less than 50 foot, the power utility has to inspect the fittings regularly for each consumer. 
    "For each district in the state, there is an electrical inspector appointed by the energy department. However, the maintenance and inspection of government buildings are done by electrical engineers from the public works department (PWD). Except for some developers, few people are aware of the norms," a source said. Another official said no inspection of government buildings has been conducted in the state . 
    "Electrical inspectors have been told to attain their revenue target by issuing NOCs. Government buildings are 
completely ignored. We will ensure that either inspectors or PWD electrical engineers do that regularly," he said. 
    "In the current system, if a building does not comply with the norms, the electrical inspector gives a notice (ranging from 15 days to a month) to do so. If the developer / society office-bearer does not meet the requirement, he can seek a deadline extension. There is no provision of stringent punishment. For high-rises the maximum fine charged is Rs 1,500," the official said. Defaulters keep paying meagre fines but can never be nailed for not complying with the norms.