Latest news with #FireAct
Indian Express
24-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Karnataka Cabinet okays fire cess on new multi-storey buildings
The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday approved the Karnataka Fire (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which permits the state to levy a fire cess of 1 per cent on newly constructed multi-storey buildings. Law Minister H K Patil announced that Section 15 of the Karnataka Fire Force Act, 1964, will be amended to include this cess, which would apply to commercial complexes, hospitals, educational institutions, industrial units, and residential apartments. Patil explained that the cess will be calculated at 1 per cent of the property tax amount and collected to strengthen fire safety infrastructure and preparedness in urban areas. 'All institutions and structures to which the Fire Act is applicable will now be liable to pay this cess,' he said. He clarified that the cess would be mandatory for all qualifying properties, and the responsibility for payment lies with the builders or property owners. The Cabinet has also decided to introduce a resolution to convert the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Ordinance, 2025, into a Bill in the upcoming Assembly session. The ordinance, originally promulgated on May 30, aims to ensure social security and welfare measures for gig economy workers. The state estimates that approximately 2.3 lakh full-time and part-time delivery workers are currently active across various platforms in Karnataka. The state will soon set up a Payment and Welfare Fee Verification System (PWFVS) to digitally track every transaction and welfare fee deduction made towards gig workers' social security. Under the proposed rules, aggregators must calculate and remit a welfare fee ranging from 1 per cent to 5 per cent of each payout made to a gig worker. These contributions are to be deposited into a government-managed welfare fund every quarter through RBI-approved payment modes. The Karnataka State Cabinet has also sanctioned the establishment of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Space Technology in Bengaluru, allocating a budget of Rs 10 crore over five years. The CoE will be set up as a Section 8 company under the Companies Act, 2013. The Satellite Communication Industry Association (SIA-India) will serve as the implementing partner and has been granted an exemption under Section 4(g) of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act, 1999, Patil said. The decision addresses the critical shortage of testing facilities, as Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and other government centers are currently operating at full capacity, prioritising their missions. With the startup sector producing around 30 testable prototypes monthly and facing a significant demand for testing infrastructure, the CoE aims to bridge the gap and support innovation in the space technology ecosystem. The Cabinet has also granted administrative approval for establishing a peripheral cancer treatment unit under the Kidwai Memorial Institute at Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital in Raichur. The estimated cost of the initiative is Rs 50 crore, which includes Rs 20 crore for civil works and Rs 30 crore for equipment. It will be funded by the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board. Additionally, the government has approved the establishment of Indira Gandhi Children's Health Institute in Bengaluru, which will feature a 450-bed hospital. The project is estimated to cost Rs 62 crore for medical equipment, furniture, and other requirements.
India Today
02-07-2025
- India Today
Attempted murder charges against pharma firm after 36 die in Telangana blast
Investigation into a deadly explosion at a chemical plant in Telangana's Sangareddy district revealed multiple safety violations by the firm, Sigachi Industries. The violations included the absence of a mandatory fire safety certificate and improper handling of flammable explosion at Sigachi's factory in Pashamylaram Industrial Area of Telangana's Sangareddy district on Monday killed 36 people and critically injured several others. The incident occurred at the facility in Patancheru mandal, where a reactor reportedly exploded during routine operations. Rescue personnel inspect the debris of the gutted pharmaceutical unit of Sigachi Industries, a day after an explosion in Sangareddy, Telangana. (AFP Photo) advertisementDirector General of Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services, Y Nagi Reddy, confirmed that while the 1989-constructed building may have initially followed applicable rules and contained some fire safety equipment, the facility lacked current fire department oversight and mandatory safety certifications. The violations found during the investigation revealed that the unit operated without a Fire NOC. There were critical safety equipment deficiencies, including the absence of fire alarms, heat sensors, and automatic shutdown systems. Additionally, there were structural safety issues, as there were no blast-resistant walls or roofs in processing areas.'There was no Fire NOC (no-objection certificate). This building does not come under the purview of Section 13 of the Fire Act where NOC is required. Such buildings don't require permission from the fire department,' Reddy explained.'The audit report from the Fire Department is as good as non-existent. It depends on the requirements of the particular company or industry,' he said, adding: 'We found some fire extinguishers and equipment related to fire safety. It's an old building from 1989 construction, so they could have followed the rules at some point.'advertisementFurthermore, material handling was inadequate. There was improper containment of microcrystalline cellulose, a highly inflammable material prone to static electricity. No third-party safety inspections had been conducted in recent years, and outdated machinery continued to be used despite worker warnings about safety on a complaint by the son of one of the deceased, the company management has been charged with culpable homicide amounting to murder, grievous hurt, and attempted murder. An FIR was registered at the local police station, with management charged under Sections 105, 110, and 117 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Rescue workers look for survivors at the chemical factory explosion site in Sangareddy, Telangana. (Reuters Photo) According to complainant Sai Yashwanth Rajanala, his 55-year-old father Rajanala Venkat Jagan Mohan, who had served at Sigachi Industries for 20 years, died in Monday's explosion. He stated that workers had repeatedly requested management to replace unsafe machinery, but these warnings were his complaint, Rajanala alleged that the Sigachi management knowingly endangered lives by operating outdated machinery. The explosion and subsequent fire resulted from this negligence, leading to multiple deaths and injuries.- Ends
Los Angeles Times
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: Inmate firefighters deserve the chance of a meaningful career after incarceration
To the editor: If the Fire Act passes, thousands of current fire camp inmates trained in the best practices in fire prevention and active abatement will complete their incarceration with hope for meaningful employment anywhere in our nation ('Under Fire Act, inmate firefighters could have a new pipeline to employment,' May 27). In my seven years as chaplain to Fire Camp 13 in Malibu, I witnessed hundreds of women become empowered and renewed while protecting our forests, mountains and homes. They were the first responders to the plane crash that killed Kobe Bryant and his daughter and friends. They cleared brush and treated the site respectfully and sorrowfully. These women faced the Palisades and Eaton fires for us. With our gratitude, let these trained firefighters share their courage and skills anywhere in the USA. Nan Cano, Westlake Village .. To the editor: I applaud Reps. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles) and Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) for introducing a bill to fund, mentor and ensure long-term employment for former inmate firefighters. Years ago, I was appalled to learn how little we pay firefighters, and even less to inmates who also put their lives on the line fighting fires. Andony Corleto and other former inmates who have proven their mettle should be encouraged and helped toward a firefighter career. We need to prepare all inmates to rejoin society with the skills to make a decent living. My grandfather, who was a prison warden in Campeche, Mexico, way back in the 1930s, had prisoners learn to weave hammocks and opened a prison-run bakery. They did so well that some of the prisoners' wives asked my grandfather to keep them in prison beyond their sentences — they made more money there than they had ever made! Let's support this federal bill. Carmen Escamilla, San Juan Capistrano
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Under Fire Act, inmate firefighters could have a new pipeline to employment
When Andony Corleto first joined California's Conservation Fire Camp Program as a prison inmate, he knew his criminal history barred him from working for any city, county or state fire department upon release. 'Thousands of people like me have had their trial by fire, only to be released and been told that it's worth nothing,' said Corleto, who now works with Vera Institute of Justice, a national organization focused on criminal justice reform. 'We cannot throw them away. We cannot deny them protections and fair wages while they work to keep us safe, especially with the persistent shortage of firefighters and with record making fires every year.' Now, with the Fire Act, this could all change. Introduced by California Democratic Reps. Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Judy Chu, the new act would help fund job training, workplace and mentoring opportunities to ensure long-term employment for former inmate firefighters. In addition to creating a pipeline for these workers, it would also start a pathway for expunging the criminal records of those who have successfully completed probation and reentry. At the beginning of the year, more than 1,000 inmates in the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation helped fight the Palisades and Eaton fires. During a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Judy Chu, who represents Pasadena and Altadena, honored their acts of bravery and spoke about their unfair low wages. 'The fire could've been worse,' said Chu. "Our area is a very densely populated area, so even more damage could have been done. But it was stopped before it could burn more communities in my district, but they fought days on end to put out those fires.' Outside the L.A. County Stentorians office, an association for African American firefighters, the Democratic representatives gathered with local advocates in front of a cluster of television news cameras to share the details of the newly introduced act. Corleto, who was released from custody around five years ago, and Royal Ramey, nonprofit Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program chief executive, both shared firsthand experiences of living and working in a fire camp. They hope this act, if passed, will bring a new sense of hope to those currently working in the fire camp program. Historically, incarcerated firefighters make up around 30% of California's wildfire crews. Depending on skill level, they can currently earn between $5.80 to $10.24 a day plus $1 an hour from Cal Fire during active emergencies, according to the department's website. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's Conservation has 35 fire camps in California where over 1,800 inmates live and train. When they aren't fighting fires or responding to other disasters, they help with state park upkeep. By joining a fire crew, they get the opportunity to reduce their sentences, earning one or two days of credit for every day they work. The bill introduced in Congress, officially known as the Fairness, Inclusion, Rehabilitation, and Expungement for Incarcerated Firefighters Act, would offer incentives for other states to start their own versions of fire camps. The act would expand occupational safety coverage, recognize incarcerated firefighters as employees entitled to wage protections and provide $20 million annually for states to adopt safety and wage compliance. 'The reality is that there are so many states that are battling with natural disasters, including fires. So, why not do the humane thing and make sure that everyone has protection? After all, these are human beings who wake up every day and make the conscious decision to get up and to learn to fight fires,' said Kamlager-Dove, who represents a district in Los Angeles. 'I want to connect California stories to the rest of the country.' Kamlager-Dove is 'hopeful' that the legislation will succeed despite the federal budget cuts being considered in the Republican-led Congress. 'This is an administration that believes in second, third and fourth chances. It believes in redemption,' said Kamlager-Dove of the Trump Administration. 'So we're simply saying, expand the lens of who you think is worthy for redemption. I submit that folks who put their lives on the line every single day, fighting fires deserve that same kind of attention.' Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Under Fire Act, inmate firefighters could have a new pipeline to employment
When Andony Corleto first joined California's Conservation Fire Camp Program as a prison inmate, he knew his criminal history barred him from working for any city, county or state fire department upon release. 'Thousands of people like me have had their trial by fire, only to be released and been told that it's worth nothing,' said Corleto, who now works with Vera Institute of Justice, a national organization focused on criminal justice reform. 'We cannot throw them away. We cannot deny them protections and fair wages while they work to keep us safe, especially with the persistent shortage of firefighters and with record making fires every year.' Now, with the Fire Act, this could all change. Introduced by California Democratic Reps. Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Judy Chu, the new act would help fund job training, workplace and mentoring opportunities to ensure long-term employment for former inmate firefighters. In addition to creating a pipeline for these workers, it would also start a pathway for expunging the criminal records of those who have successfully completed probation and reentry. At the beginning of the year, more than 1,000 inmates in the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation helped fight the Palisades and Eaton fires. During a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Judy Chu, who represents Pasadena and Altadena, honored their acts of bravery and spoke about their unfair low wages. 'The fire could've been worse,' said Chu. 'Our area is a very densely populated area, so even more damage could have been done. But it was stopped before it could burn more communities in my district, but they fought days on end to put out those fires.' Outside the L.A. County Stentorians office, an association for African American firefighters, the Democratic representatives gathered with local advocates in front of a cluster of television news cameras to share the details of the newly introduced act. Corleto, who was released from custody around five years ago, and Royal Ramey, nonprofit Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program chief executive, both shared firsthand experiences of living and working in a fire camp. They hope this act, if passed, will bring a new sense of hope to those currently working in the fire camp program. Historically, incarcerated firefighters make up around 30% of California's wildfire crews. Depending on skill level, they can currently earn between $5.80 to $10.24 a day plus $1 an hour from Cal Fire during active emergencies, according to the department's website. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's Conservation has 35 fire camps in California where over 1,800 inmates live and train. When they aren't fighting fires or responding to other disasters, they help with state park upkeep. By joining a fire crew, they get the opportunity to reduce their sentences, earning one or two days of credit for every day they work. The bill introduced in Congress, officially known as the Fairness, Inclusion, Rehabilitation, and Expungement for Incarcerated Firefighters Act, would offer incentives for other states to start their own versions of fire camps. The act would expand occupational safety coverage, recognize incarcerated firefighters as employees entitled to wage protections and provide $20 million annually for states to adopt safety and wage compliance. 'The reality is that there are so many states that are battling with natural disasters, including fires. So, why not do the humane thing and make sure that everyone has protection? After all, these are human beings who wake up every day and make the conscious decision to get up and to learn to fight fires,' said Kamlager-Dove, who represents a district in Los Angeles. 'I want to connect California stories to the rest of the country.' Kamlager-Dove is 'hopeful' that the legislation will succeed despite the federal budget cuts being considered in the Republican-led Congress. 'This is an administration that believes in second, third and fourth chances. It believes in redemption,' said Kamlager-Dove of the Trump Administration. 'So we're simply saying, expand the lens of who you think is worthy for redemption. I submit that folks who put their lives on the line every single day, fighting fires deserve that same kind of attention.'
