Hyderabad: The Telangana Directorate of Intermediate Education has started installing fire safety equipment in 430 government junior colleges in the state as a precautionary measure to ensure safety of students and college staff.The fire safety equipment was installed in private colleges following a High Court verdict which made no-objection certificate (NOC) mandatory for colleges. The same rule was subsequently applied to government colleges. An official from Intermediate Board said, “Fire NOC is made mandatory for all Government colleges, and approving the affiliations. The rule is applied to all the government and publicly run educational institutions like welfare colleges, KGBVs, Model schools.” The board has allocated `1 crore for the initiative. Out of 430 colleges, 398 colleges got fire clearance and the remaining 32 colleges are expected to get it before June 8. A lecturer of a government college said most government colleges are located in remote areas, and fire equipment will improve safety. “Government colleges which are mostly in a wide area consisting of 3 acres and many are located in villages. While there are no fire accidents reported, this is a welcome step for student safety,” said Dr. P. Madhusudan Reddy, president of Government Junior lecturers Association. K. Suresh, general secretary, Intermediate Government Colleges Association, said, “As the equipment is installed in the summer vacation, demonstration sessions have to be conducted for students and staff by the fire safety officials or trained persons after the academic year starts.”
Source link
