The government is likely to make no-objection certificates (NOC) from some more departments, besides Fire Services and Municipal Administration Departments, mandatory for giving permission to construct/open schools, hospitals, hotels, high-rise buildings, cinema halls, commercial malls and exhibitions.
The issue was discussed at a meeting Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy held with Home Minister P. Sabitha Reddy and senior officials.
The new departments from where the NOCs may be insisted upon are School Education, Factories, Health and Industries.
Move to minimise loss
Speaking to reporters later, Ms. Sabitha Reddy said that a decision had been taken to train personnel of hotels, schools, hospitals, cinema houses, malls etc. to take precautionary and preventive measures and to minimise loss if a fire broke out.
Ms. Sabitha Reddy said that Andhra Pradesh Fire Services had booked cases against 375 owners of multi-storeyed buildings for violations of fire safety measures, and 57 of them had been convicted.
