Rampur(UP), Jul 10 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh Fire Department has issued a notice to Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur, seeking an explanation over the alleged absence of valid fire safety clearances for 22 buildings on its campus following a statewide fire safety audit launched after the recent coaching centre blaze in Lucknow.
The notice, issued by the office of the Chief Fire Officer (CFO), asks the university, run by the Jauhar Trust, founded by senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, to respond within a week and submit building drawings and other documents required to assess compliance with fire safety norms.
Chief Fire Officer Vijay Kumar Singh said the inspection was part of a statewide audit of schools, colleges, coaching centres, hospitals and hotels ordered after the fire at a coaching institute in Lucknow’s Aliganj area that claimed 15 lives.
During the inspection, officials found that while some fire safety equipment was installed, most of it was not in working condition.
Singh said records examined by the department showed that the university does not possess any valid fire safety no-objection certificate (NOC) at present.
He said two small blocks had obtained NOCs in 2012, but these were valid only for one year and were never renewed. He added that a hospital block had obtained a pre-construction approval in 2016, but most buildings in that block were found locked during the inspection and could not be examined.
Singh said if the university fails to respond within the stipulated seven days, another notice granting an additional week will be issued before further action is considered.
The department has sought architectural drawings and other relevant documents to assess the fire safety arrangements and determine the measures required for compliance, he added. PTI COR CDN MDO MDO
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