CHANDIGARH: The Chandigarh administration is now authorized to impose a fire tax or cess on buildings that pay property tax within the municipal corporation, following the extension of the Haryana Fire and Emergency Services Act, 2022, to Chandigarh.
The fire tax will be calculated as a percentage of the property tax, with rates to be determined by the administration periodically.
This initiative is part of a significant update to Chandigarh’s fire safety framework, replacing the previously enforced Delhi Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Act of 1986.
The updated framework extends the validity of fire safety certificates (FSCs) from three to five years and clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of the Chief Fire Officer and other authorities to ensure a transparent and timely approval process.
A key shift involves a restructured penalty mechanism that favors administrative penalties over severe criminal sanctions, encouraging voluntary compliance and swifter enforcement.
Moreover, licensed agencies will have a greater role in assessing and certifying fire safety measures, which will improve compliance and reduce delays. In special cases, the Chief Fire Officer can authorize others to conduct necessary work.
A self-certification provision has been introduced. Property owners or occupiers are required to submit an annual self-declaration certificate verifying that fire safety systems are in working condition and that no unauthorized modifications have been made. Random checks may be conducted by the Fire Officer.
The reforms aim to modernize fire safety enforcement, bolster preparedness, and ensure better protection for residents while simplifying the compliance process for building owners.
