Akhilesh Yadav raises concerns over fire safety inspections
Samajwadi Party president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday warned that the ongoing fire safety inspections at coaching centres across the state could potentially turn into an extortion racket. He alleged that such inspections might be misused by officials to extract money from coaching centre operators.
Background of the inspections
The inspections were ordered by the state government following a tragic fire at a coaching centre in Surat, Gujarat, which claimed the lives of several students. In response, the Uttar Pradesh government directed all district magistrates to conduct fire safety audits of coaching centres to prevent similar incidents. However, Yadav expressed skepticism about the implementation.
Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Yadav said, "The government should ensure that these inspections are conducted transparently and not turned into a means of harassment. There is a risk that officials may use these checks to demand bribes from coaching centre owners."
Demand for clear guidelines
Yadav urged the state government to issue clear guidelines for the inspections and establish a mechanism to prevent misuse. He also called for a committee comprising representatives of coaching centres and civil society to oversee the process. "Without proper oversight, such drives often become a tool for extortion," he added.
The coaching centre industry in Uttar Pradesh is significant, with thousands of centres operating in cities like Lucknow, Varanasi, and Prayagraj. Many of these centres prepare students for competitive exams such as JEE, NEET, and UPSC. The state government has not yet responded to Yadav's allegations.
Opposition's criticism
The Samajwadi Party chief also criticized the Yogi Adityanath government for its handling of education-related issues. He claimed that the government's focus on inspections was a diversion from its failure to improve the quality of education in state-run schools. "Instead of targeting coaching centres, the government should work on strengthening the public education system," Yadav said.
Meanwhile, coaching centre associations have expressed mixed reactions. Some have welcomed the inspections as a necessary step for student safety, while others have echoed Yadav's concerns about potential harassment. One association leader, on condition of anonymity, said, "We are ready to comply with safety norms, but there should be a single-window clearance system to avoid multiple visits by different departments."
Government's stance
Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi had earlier stated that the inspections were aimed at ensuring the safety of students and would be conducted strictly according to rules. He assured that any complaint of harassment would be dealt with seriously. However, the opposition remains unconvinced.
The issue has also sparked a debate on social media, with many users supporting Yadav's call for transparency. The state government is yet to issue a detailed response to the allegations.
