Fire NOC validity extended to five years in Goa, but experts sceptical
PANAJI: The home department has said that the NOC issued by the directorate of fire and emergency services will be valid for five years. However, the approval is subject to the owners of buildings submitting a self-declaration every year stating that the fire protection mechanism is regularly maintained and fully functional. This, however, has authorities worried as experience shows that many commercial establishments do not maintain firefighting equipment. Recently, the fire department found that the fire prevention mechanism at the Panaji municipal market was defunct. “To streamline the procedure of the renewal of the NOC, govt has decided to relax…