Wrong to accept low-rate tenders for fire equipment: Waikar

In the wake of three firemen losing lives while dousing a blaze in Kalbadevi, Maharashtra MoS for Housing Ravindra Waikar today said it is wrong to accept low rate tenders while purchasing European and American standard fire safety equipment.
The Shiv Sena leader made this observation during a high level meeting at Mantralaya which was attended by elected representatives from Mumbai, fire brigade officials, housing department officials and others.
Ironically, the Shiv Sena has been in power in the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) for over 17 years in alliance with the BJP.
Waikar said the quality of fire equipments cannot be compromised for the sake of low rates.

"With the help of modern radiation technology, structural audits of buildings can be done. The technology enables one to obtain the scanned plan of the building and one can, on its basis, ascertain the areas of the building which are dangerous. The technology can be used to carry out repairs of the dangerous portions of the building," Waikar said.
He said that he would strive to provide Mumbai fire brigade with financial resources and manpower.
The Minister also directed authorities to decide within a month about giving jobs to the kin of fire officers and jawans, based on their educational qualifications, on compassionate grounds.

Waikar also demanded that like the Army jawans and officers who lay down their lives at the borders while defending the country are declared as martyrs, fire officials, who lay down their lives while performing their duties, also be declared as martyrs.