Amid reports of fire from every nook and corner of the state, the Bihar government has issued an advisory to its villagers not to cook food between 9 am and 6 pm.
The move the government says will help prevent incidents of fire which has increased abnormally high during the westerly winds this month.
Though many villagers were found to be unaware of the advisory issued by the Disaster Management Department, the Nitish regime on Wednesday issued advertisements in local newspapers asking the villagers to avoid cooking between 9 am and 6 pm, besides avoiding any religious programmes like yagna during day hours.
Toll due to fire incidents
Altogether 60 people have died while 13,000 houses destroyed in the numerous fire incidents in April in Bihar. “This decision has been taken to make people aware of safety guidelines and also fix their responsibility for the fire incidents,” said a senior official of the Disaster Management Department.
The official cited the penal provisions for those who flouted the advisory.
“Section 51 of the Disaster Management law has provisions of jail term for one year, or fine or both, if someone refuses to comply with any direction given by any central or state agencies,” the official said.
The official added that the law was basically meant to instil fear in the minds of those violating rules.
“Besides, it will help prevent fire incidents,” he added.
