Madras HC: Hospital fire-safety check in a month

The public interest litigation moved by social activist Jawahar Shanmugam came up for hearing before the first bench comprising of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice P T Asha observed that the process should not be delayed anymore and adjourned the case by a month on Monday.

The Chief Justice also stressed that the issue needs to be addressed on a case based on the nature of violation and the recommendations to be made by the committee. 

During the hearing, the petitioner, who is also part of the inspection committee, submitted the non-cooperation of key regulators in the inspection activity. He also noted that there was no point in making doctors as team leaders to inspect the hospital as they were not aware of the statutory provisions that govern the installation of ramps and other fire safety norms. Instead officials drawn from the PWD and other agencies familiar with the rules be appointed as team leaders to not only identify the violation but also suggest remedial measures, he said.

The petitioner also submitted that the state has sanctioned as much as Rs 120 crore for augmenting safety measures at the various government hospitals. But till date work has been allocated for a mere five to six crore, while the others projects are lying low.

It may be noted that the Tamil Nadu government in an earlier report had informed the Madras High Court that out of the 203 multi-storied medical college hospitals in the state, ramp facilities, are available at 105, but the facility will soon be provided in the remaining 98 structures.