Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Nov 22:

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Orissa High Court today seeking cancellation of licence of Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) since it doesn’t have necessary fire fighting apparatus.

Orissa High Court

The High Court after conducting a hearing on the PIL has served notices to the state Chief Secretary, Health Secretary, Director Medical Education and Training (DMET), Director General (DG) Fire Services and Collector Khordha.

The notices were issued on the basis of a PIL filed by a lawyer Shivshankar Mohanty seeking strict implementation of provisions of Odisha Fire Services Act, 1993. The petitioner has stated that despite there being laws for prevention of fire, authorities of several hospitals were knowingly not observing fire safety norms.

The petitioner cited the example of KIMS which had been asked to adhere to these norms in 2010 and stated that the hospital authorities are yet to implement them. He said even though a fire mishap was reported at KIMS in 2014, it hasn’t been sealed yet.

The next date for hearing in the matter has been fixed for December 15.