Patna: In yet another innovative move which sounds bizarre to some the state government issued an advisory barring people from cooking or performing Yagya (Puja) between 9 am till 6 pm in Bihar. The advisory according to disaster management department was issued to avert incidents of fire in rural areas.
According to figures available, more than 66 persons have been killed and more than thirty thousand houses have been gutted in the wild fire which occurred in the past two weeks in rural Bihar.
The disaster management department terming the measure as “preventive” said that “disaster management act 51 (B) clearly states that those who violate the advisory issued will be liable for severe punishment”.
The disaster management department said that the advisory was issued after a detailed study of some of recent incidents in which several people have been killed. In a letter to all divisional commissioners and district magistrates, officials said that people living in rural areas should finish cooking by 9 am and start preparing their dinner only after 6 pm.
“Several people have lost their lives and there are several others whose lives are at risk in rural areas. The advisory is just an important step to avert such
incidents”, Principal Secretary Disaster Management Vyasji said.
He explained that the state government has asked people not to cook during daytime keeping in view westerly wind and excessive heat that add to fire.
