The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Bakthavatsalam Commission presents report

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Bakthavatsalam Commission presents report

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, FEB. 1. The Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Commission today presented its recommendations on the amendment to the Tamil Nadu Fire Services Act, 1985, to enable better compliance with fire and safety regulations, modernisation of the Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) Department, creation of better awareness among the public and enhancement of communication to improve response time.

The Commission's chairman and retired judge of the Madras High Court, K.S. Bakthavatsalam, and its members — S. Ramani, Director-General of Police (Training) and S.K. Dogra, Director (FRS) — presented the report to the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, at the Secretariat.

An official release here said the Commission, with such comprehensive terms of reference, was unique and the first of its kind. It was constituted by the Government on November 19, 2002, "primarily to examine issues concerning the improvement of the delivery of FRS and make recommendations in this regard." "The important recommendations fall into three broad categories and include improvements in the delivery of FRS, legal issues and administrative reforms with a view to enhancing the capabilities and outreach of the FRS department and providing better services to the public," it said.

The Government would examine these recommendations and proposed amendments to statutes and take action, it said.

The Commission examined 128 witnesses under 93 categories and held deliberations for over two years, besides examining voluminous documents.

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