The builders’ lobby had allegedly pressurised the government against Mr Thomas
Jacob Thomas
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Fire and Rescue Services commandant-general Anil Kanth has denied no-objection certificates to 35-odd high-rise building and recommended to the government to reconsider the sanctions given to nearly 40 such buildings.
This has vindicated the stand taken by his predecessor DGP Jacob Thomas, who was shunted out from the Fire and Rescue Services after he denied NOC to 77 buildings.
The builders’ lobby had allegedly pressurised the government against Mr Thomas. Subsequently, Mr Kanth, an ADGP-rank officer, was posted as FRS commandant-general. With Mr Kanth also taking a stand against the builders, the government would be in a dilemma.
According to sources, Anil Kanth recommended reconsidering the permissions granted to 38 complexes as they lacked fire safety norms like space around buildings for fire tenders to move in case of a mishap. He also turned down the plea of builders to issue NOCs to about 37 buildings which were earlier denied sanction by Mr Thomas.
DC had recently reported that none of the 77 buildings that were denied NOC by Mr Jacob Thomas had complied with safety norms.
Though the government had sought explanation from Mr Thomas for openly criticising the government decision to shift him from the Fire and Rescue Services, it has decided not to initiate any disciplinary action agai-nst him as it could backfire, it is learnt. Mr Thomas had also questioned the grounds for his premature transfer.
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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