High Court expresses concern over safety in cinemas

Hyderabad, June 29 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh High Court today expressed serious concern about the safety arrangements in cinema theatres in the state and directed the state government to give a deadline to managements to comply with safety guidelines and cancel the licenses of those which do not comply.

The High Court which took suo-motu cognizance of reports about the fire accident in the Pushpanjali complex in the city earlier, set up a committee to review fire averting and fire fighting arrangements in multi-story buildings. The Committee submitted its report to the High Court today.

A division bench comprising the Chief Justice Mr Singhvi and Mr Justice Sitapati after examining the report of the committee, directed the government to issue notices to all cinema managements to comply with safety guidelines within a set time frame.

The committee in its report stated that fire fighting or averting procedures were not complied with by 2,158 cinemas in the state.

Government Counsel Satya Prasad assured the court that notices would be issued in collaboration with the directorate Fire Services to all the cinemas that lacked safety measures.

The High Court also expressed its displeasure about lack of basic amenities like water and toilets in government schools. The Court directed senior advocate Ramachandra Rao to suggest measures needed for improving amenities in the schools.

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