Indore: After tragic incident of fire in Surat that caused deaths on Friday, state higher education minister Jitu Patwari expressed concern over security of students who study in coaching classes in the city. Patwari inspected coaching classes conducted in Veda Complex in Bhanwarkua and found loopholes in fire fighting system. He inspected facilities at P3 Coaching, Azaad Coaching Institute, PS Academy and others. While inspecting the facility, he directed coaching class owners to improve safety or be ready to face the music. The minister didn’t find emergency exit in the building and no institute had fire extinguisher or even water sprinklers.
He was surprised to see a big hall where 500 students take coaching but the place didn’t have fire fighting measures. He inquired about how students will escape in case of emergency as there are only two lifts and a common staircase. The minister inspected Veda Complex having more than 50 institutes for more than an hour and also reprimanded the maintenance incharge about security and cleanliness. Students complaint against pvt hostels During inspection, students gheraoed Patwari to complain about poor facilities in private hostels in Bhanwarkua. Student Vinay Singh Parihar said hostel owners misbehave and bully them. “They don’t give us even a day more to deposit rent. They throw our belongings if we get late by a day,” Parihar said. Other students complained about poor quality of food served in hostels. Come to me if you have problems: Patwari met students in a coaching class of Veda Complex in Bhanwarkua and asked them about problems they face. He asked them to contact him if they face any problem.
‘Preparing safety norms’ Addressing media after his inspection visit, Patwari said he found several anomalies with regard to fire safety norms and students’ security. “I have directed owners to improve facilities. Stern action will be taken against them if facilities are not improved,” he said. Patwari said he has asked all district collectors in state to send a list of coaching institutes to his department and also to inspect them to ensure safety of students. “We have also asked collectors to prepare a guideline regarding fire safety and security of students, which will be mandatory for all institutes to follow,” he said.
