Drop in Diwali fires likely

By Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar

NEW DELHI, NOV. 13. With no major Diwali-related fire till on Wednesday evening, the Delhi Fire Service are expecting a sizable drop in the number of such incidents this year, especially since the ``Say No To Fire Crackers'' campaign has gained root among the impressionable small age group.

The expectancy of a considerable drop is there because last year the number of fires had gone up sharply to 250. The Chief Fire Officer, Mr S.K. Dheri, says that in 2000 the fires had increased significantly over the previous two years when 177 and 70 cases respectively were reported.

While in 1999 the number of Diwali related fires were only 70, the year 2000 had witnessed a quantum jump. Going by the number of fires reported during the run up to Diwali, this is turning out to be a rather safe year.

So far no major or even medium Diwali related fire has been reported and there has been no loss of life which may be attributed to negligence during the `festival of lights'. But as Mr Dheri says the 24 hours of Diwali day are crucial to any analysis of statistics in this regard.

The Delhi Fire Service is once again on its toes to attend to fire calls, which generally witness a spurt during the festival season. ``All the 2,000-odd personnel would be on duty and would operate with the help of about 150 fire tenders from 36 fire stations and 10 temporary ones which have been set up across the city to reduce the response time.''

But while Mr Dheri asserts that these personnel -- who work to make Diwali safe for others -- would be compensated with a leave and honorarium, the general secretary of the Delhi Fire Service Staff Association, Mr Mukesh Sharma, claims that the staff ``does not get anything'' in return for their hard work.

``While working on Diwali is our duty, we are not given any leave, compensatory payment or honorarium. We have been fighting for our rights for some time and only once were we paid some allowance (three years ago) after we got into an agreement with then Chief Minister, Mr Sahib Singh. Thereafter, the payments and leaves were discontinued.''

Apart from the Delhi Fire Service, other departments are also chipping in with their bit to ensure a safe Diwali. The Delhi Traffic Police today distributed a large number of ``Happy Diwali'' pamphlets among motorists at busy intersections as a goodwill gesture. While wishing the motorists on the occasion of Diwali, the pamphlets also reminds them that the Delhi Traffic Police wants them safe.

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