DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

The Punjab Government has taken a major step toward modernizing fire safety services and streamlining the ease of doing business for industries in the state. To support this initiative, the Punjab Fire and Emergency Services Act, 2024 has been implemented for industries and the general public. A key amendment now allows industrial buildings with heights up to 21 meters, up from the previous limit of 18 meters.

Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Industry Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced that a notification issued on June 27 by the Directorate of Punjab Fire and Emergency Services (under the Local Government Department) introduces several reforms to benefit the industrial sector. One major change includes extending the validity of Fire Safety No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from 1 year to 3 or 5 years, based on the risk classification of the industry. He said that Industries have been classified into three risk categories ? light hazard industries: NOC valid for 5 years, moderate hazard industries: NOC valid for 3 years and high-hazard industries: Annual NOC still required.

The Minister highlighted that this move will reduce bureaucratic hurdles and makes it easier for entrepreneurs to focus on their businesses rather than repeated paperwork.

He further informed that 43 industries fall under the light hazard category, 63 under moderate hazard, and 39 under high- hazard.

He further said that in a major ease-of-business reform, the department will now accept fire safety drawings and schemes prepared by qualified architects, eliminating the need to get the fire drawings/schemes vetted from any other consultant or agency.

Additionally, the 53-point checklist that owners or occupiers previously had to submit while applying for a fire NOC has now been abolished. Sond said that online annual self certification by occupier of the building has been introduced.

Tarunpreet Singh Sond emphasized that these changes will provide much-needed relief to industries, allowing them to concentrate more on growth and innovation.

He said that the decision would also eliminate the need for unnecessary approvals, further boosting investor confidence in Punjab's

industrial ecosystem.

(editor@dailyworld.in)