An Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) project for serving and retired personnel in Sector 27 here is under the police scanner for allegedly obtaining wrong no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Panchkula fire department.
There are 483 dwelling units of officers in the Sector-27 AWHO project.
Elected ad hoc users committee of group housing, AWHO, Sector 27, comprising retired and serving officers, had complained to Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar through the CM window in January that an NOC was issued to their group housing society despite the fact that there was little fire fighting arrangement.
Inquiry officer assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Jagtaar Singh said, “The final report is yet to be submitted, but the preliminary investigation suggests that the NOC was wrongly issued.”
According to the complaint, no fire safety equipment was in place in any of the blocks at the time of inspection. “Out of the 10 blocks, the fire safety equipment was fitted partially in first five towers (A to E) in August 2014, whereas the inspection is stated to have been carried out before July 3, 2013 (date of issuance of NOC). The fitting of fire-fighting equipment in other three towers (F, G and H) started on January 15, and the work is yet to be completed. There is no equipment in the last two towers (J and K) even today. Manually operated electrical fire alarm (MOEFA) is yet to be installed in these towers. In addition, call boxes too have not been installed,” the complaint claimed.
Major Virender Singh (retd), secretary of the users’ committee, confirmed that a complaint was lodged. “In towers F, G and H, MOEFA has just been placed without the system being electrically connected. Even the call boxes/ speakers have not been placed or electrically connected. Hence, the effectiveness of the entire fire safety is compromised,” the complaint added.
{{/usCountry}}Major Virender Singh (retd), secretary of the users’ committee, confirmed that a complaint was lodged. “In towers F, G and H, MOEFA has just been placed without the system being electrically connected. Even the call boxes/ speakers have not been placed or electrically connected. Hence, the effectiveness of the entire fire safety is compromised,” the complaint added.
{{/usCountry}}The officers’ body said based on the false NOC, the AWHO obtained an occupation certificate from the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), which should have not been issued. However, fire officer SS Malik said, “The NOC was given one and half years ago and the equipment must have been stolen.” They would meet all fire safety parameters, said the fire officer. Colonel Surinder Sharma, project director, a serving officer, refused to comment on the issue.