Revolutionising Law Reporting !
 |
 |
 |
| Install Now! | Install Now! | Install Now! |
The Manipur Fire Service Act, 1992
Published vide Notification No. 2/35/92-Leg/L, dated 15-3-1993 in the Manipur Gazette, Extraordinary No. 1240, dated 15-3-1993
ner483
(a) "Director" means the Director of Manipur Fire Service appointed under Section 4 of this Act;
(b) "Fire fighting property" includes-
(i) lands and buildings directly or indirectly connected with fire fighting;
(ii) fire engines, equipments, tools, implements and things whatsoever used for fire fighting;
(iii) motor vehicles and other means of transport used in connection with fire fighting or;
(iv) uniform and badges of ranks;
(c) "Fire Station" mean any post or place declared generally or specially by notification in the official Gazette by the State Government to be a Fire Station and also incudes a Fire Sub-Station;
(d) "Fire Service" means the Manipur Fire Service maintained under this Act;
(e) "Licensing Authority" means the Deputy Commissioner or such officer as may be authorised by the State Government;
(f) "Member" means and includes a member of the Fire Service who performs, directional, supervisory, executive and operational duties in such ranks as may be prescribed by the State Government.
(g) "Officer-in-charge of a Fire Station" includes when the officer-in-charge of the Fire Station is absent from the Fire Station or unable from illness or other cause to perform his duties, the Fire Officer present at the Station who is next in rank to such Officer or any other officer holding charge of the Fire Station in the absence of the officer-in-charge.
(h) "Place" means either enclosed, or covered or open land having buildings or premises within seventy-five feet on any side of its surroundings;
(i) "Prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(j) "State Government" means the State Government of Manipur;
(k) "Warehouse" means by building or place used whether temporarily or permanently for storing, keeping, or otherwise dealing in any manner of such articles which in the opinion of the State Government are considered as inflammable.
Explanation. - Godowns, factories, workshops, buildings, shops etc., dealing in any manner with prescribed inflammable articles will be regarded as "Warehouse" for purposes of this Act;(l) "Workshop" means any building or place where the processing of any article is carried on for purposes of trade or business, if such processing of such articles which in the opinion of the State Government are considered as inflammable and are prescribed in this respect.
Explanation. - The expression "processing" means making, altering, repairing, treating or otherwise dealing with any article by means of steam, electricity or other mechanical power.Maintenance of Fire Service
3. Maintenance of Fire Service. - There shall be maintained by the State Government a Fire Service to be called the Manipur Fire Service. 4. Appointment of Director of Manipur Fire Service. - The State Government may appoint a person to be Director of Manipur Fire Service. 5. Superintendence and control of the Fire Service. - (1) The superintendence and control of the Fire Service shall vest in the Director and shall be carried on by him in accordance with the provisions of this Act and of any rules made thereunder. (2) The State Government may appoint such officers as it may deem fit to assist the Director in the discharge of his duties. 6. Appointment of subordinate members of the Fire Service. - (1) The Director or such other officer of Fire Service as the State Government may authorise in this behalf, shall appoint the members of the Fire Service of the subordinate ranks in accordance with the rules made under this Act. 7. Issue of certificates to the members of the Fire Service. - (1) Every person shall, on appointment to the Fire Service, receive a certificate in the prescribed form under the seal of the Director or an officer authorised in this behalf by the State Government, and thereupon such person shall have the powers, functions and privileges of a member of the Fire Service under this Act. (2) The certificate referred to in sub-section (1) shall cease to have effect when the person named therein ceases for any reason to be member of the Fire Service, and on his ceasing to be such member, he shall forthwith surrender the certificate to any officer empowered to receive the same. (3) During any period of suspension, the powers, functions and privileges vested in any member of the Fire Service shall be in abeyance but such member shall continue to be subject to the same discipline and penalties as he would have been if he had not been suspended. 8. Auxiliary Fire Force. - Whenever it appears to the State Government that it is necessary to augment the Fire Service, it may raise an Auxiliary Fire Service by enrolment of volunteers of such areas and on such terms and conditions as it may deem fit. 9. A member of the Fire Service be always on duty and may be employed in any part of the State. - Every member of the Fire Service shall, for all purposes in this Act contained, be considered to be always on duty and may at any time be employed in any part of the State.Powers of the State Government the Director and Members of the Fire Service
10. Power of State Government to make orders. - The State Government may, from time to time, make such general or special orders as it thinks fit-(a) for providing the Fire Service with such appliances and equipments as it deems proper;
(b) for providing adequate supply of water and for securing that it shall be available for use;
(c) for constructing or providing stations or hiring places for accommodating the members of tire Fire Service and its fire fighting appliances;
(d) for giving rewards to persons who have given notice of fires and to those who have rendered effective service to the Fire Service;
(e) for the training, discipline and good conduct of the members of the Fire Service;
(f) for deciding or determining the cadre or terms and conditions of service of the members of the Fire Service and also members of other staff or creating such additional ranks and framing rules in respect of service conditions and conduct rules as it may deem fit;
(g) for the speedy attendance of members of the Fire Service with necessary appliances and equipments on the occasion of any fire alarm;
(h) for sending members of the Fire Service with appliances and equipments beyond the limits of any area in which this Act is in force for purposes of fire fighting in the neighbourhood of such limits on such terms and conditions and under such exigencies of situation as it deems proper;
(i) for the employment of members of the Fire Service in any rescue, salvage or other special types of jobs;
(j) for regulating and controlling the powers, duties and functions of the Director and of other members of the Fire Service; and
(k) generally for the maintenance of the Fire Service in due state of efficiency.
11. Preventive measures and licences. - (1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, require owners or occupiers of premises in any area or of any class of premises used for purposes which in its opinion are likely to cause a risk of fire to take such precautions as may be specified in such notification. (2) No building or place shall be used as a warehouse or as a workshop unless the owner or occupier thereof shall have previously obtained under this Act, a licence for such use and that no licence to use any building or place as a warehouse shall be granted unless such building or place conforms to such precautionary measures taken by the owner or occupier thereof as may be directed by the licensing authority. (3) The owner or occupier of any building or place which was being used as a warehouse immediately before the date on which this Act comes into force shall have to apply for obtaining a licence from the appropriate licensing authority within thirty days from the date on which this Act comes into force. (4) A licence granted under this Act may be withdrawn or suspended by such authority who granted it. (5) Where on application, a licence or renewal of a licence is refused, withdrawn or suspended, the licensing authority shall record in writing the reasons for such refusal with due intimation to the applicant. (6) Every licence granted under sub-section (2) above shall be required to be renewed annually. Application for renewal shall be made to the licensing authority who shall refer the case to the Director and the licensing authority shall grant or refuse renewal as may be recommended by the Director. 12. Appeals. - Any person aggrieved by an order of the licensing authority refusing, withdrawing or suspending any licence may file an appeal before the prescribed authority in prescribed manner within thirty days of such refusal, withdrawal or suspension; Provided that for the purpose of this section, the prescribed authority means the Director, in cases where the licensing authority is an officer subordinate to the Director and the State Government where the licensing authority is the Director or the Deputy Commissioner. 13. Power to seize, remove or destroy goods, etc. - In case a warehouse is detected using it without a licence, it shall be lawful for the Director or any officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf, to direct removal of prescribed article likely to cause a risk of fire, to a place of safety : and on failure of the owner or occupier to do so, the Director or such officer may seize, detain, remove, dispose of or destroy such objects or goods in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government. The Director or such officer as may be authorised, will not be liable to pay any compensation in any manner to any person in this respect. 14. Change of occupation. - Whenever a change in the occupation of any warehouse or workshop occurs, the person entering into the occupation of the same shall, within two weeks of his so entering into occupation, give notice in writing to the licensing authority of such change of occupation and shall thereupon pay a fee, as may be prescribed and his name shall accordingly be substituted in the licence in respect of the warehouse or workshop for the name of the last occupier. 15. Fire works. - No building or place shall be used for the purpose of manufacturing, making or otherwise dealing in any manner, in respect of fire works without previously obtaining a licence for the same from the licensing authority. 16. Place of public gathering for entertainment. - (1) No building or structure of any kind shall be used for public gathering for amusement, entertainment or any other purposes where public may assemble, unless the owner or occupier thereof shall have previously obtained a licence. Application for such licence shall be made to the licensing authority who shall refer the case to the Director and the licensing authority shall grant or refuse such licence as may be recommended by the Director. (2) (i) No licence shall be granted unless the building or structure conforms to such rules and conditions as may be prescribed for purposes of public safety; and(ii) Advance payment of such fees as may be prescribed is made.
Explanation. - Theatres, Cinemas, Circus, Fairs/Melas and such other like matters come under the purview of this section. 17. Temporary structure or pandals. - A person, who intends to erect a temporary structure or pandal with roof or walls made of straw, hay, thatch and other like materials for use as a place where members of the public may assemble, shall apply to the licensing authority for permission to erect such structure or pandal and such permission may be granted for a stipulated period; provided that-(i) it conforms to such conditions as may be specified by the Director;
(ii) advance payment of such fees as may be prescribed, is made; and
(iii) in the opinion of the Director it is not unsafe for public gathering.
18. Conditions for granting licence for warehouses and workshops, etc. - For carrying out the purposes of any or all the provisions of Sections 10, 11, 14, 15, and 16 of this Act, the State Government may prescribe conditions in respect of-(i) the limit of minimum or maximum quantity of such inflammable articles that may be stored, used or otherwise dealt with in a particular warehouse or workshop;
(ii) determination of fees and method of calculation of fees and the manner in which payment has to be made in this respect;
(iii) Schedules or forms to be used in respect of granting licence; and
(iv) the precautionary measures to be taken in a warehouse, workshop, etc.
19. Power of grating licence. - Power of granting licence under this Act shall be exercised by the licensing authority. 20. Power of Director to make arrangements for supply of water. - The Director may, with previous sanction of the State Government, enter into agreement with the authority in charge of water supply in any area for securing adequate supply of water in case of fire on such terms as to payment or otherwise as may specified in the agreement. 21. Power of Director to enter into arrangements for assistance. - The Director may, with the previous sanction of the State Government, enter into agreement with any person who employs and maintains personnel or equipment or both for fire fighting purposes, to secure, on such term as to payment or otherwise as may be provided by or under agreement, the provision for the purpose of dealing with fires occurring in any area in which this Act is in force. 22. Powers of members of the Fire Service on occasion of fire. - On the occasion of fire in any area in which this Act is in force, any member of the Fire Service who is in-charge of fire fighting operations on the spot may-(a) remove, detain or order any other member of the Fire Service to remove or detain any person who by his presence interferes with or impedes the operations for extinguishing the fire or for saving life or property;
(b) close any street or passage in or near which a fire is burning;
(c) for the purpose of extinguishing fire, break into or through or pull down, any premises for the passage of those engaged in fire fighting or appliances or cause them to be broken into or through or pulled down doing as little damage as possible;
(d) require the authority in charge of water supply in the area to regulate the water-mains so as to provide water at a specified pressure at the place where fire has broken out any utilise the water of any stream, cistern, well or tank or of any available source of water, public or private, for the purpose of extinguishing or limiting the spread of such fire; provided that in cases of any damage done to any source of water, stream, cistern, well or tank belonging to a member of the public or association or body corporate while utilising water in accordance with the provisions of this section under this Act the State Government may entertain at its discretion, claims for compensation preferred by any affected person or party or body corporate as the case may be on merit of each case;
(e) exercise the same powers for dispersing an assembly of persons likely to obstruct the fire fighting operations as if he were an officer-in-charge of a police station and as if such an assembly were an unlawful assembly and be entitled to the same immunities and protection as such an officer, in respect of the exercise of such powers; and
(f) generally take such measures as may appear to him to be necessary for extinguishing the fire or for the protection of life or property and for which no member of the Fire Service working under his order or instructions will be civilly or criminally prosecuted in court of law.
Recovery from Local Fire Service
23. Recovery from Local Authority. - The State Government may recover from any Local Authority of any area in which this Act is in force and such contribution towards the cost of the portion of the Fire Service maintained in that area as the State Government may direct from time to time. 24. Levy of Fire Service fee. - (1) There may be levied a Fire Service fee on lands and buildings which are situated in any area in which this Act is in force and on which property tax by whatever name called is levied by any local authority in that area. (2) The Fire Service fee shall be levied in the form of a surcharge on the property tax at such rate not exceeding ten per cent of such property tax as the State Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, determine. 25. Procedure of assessment, collection, etc., of Fire Service fee. - (1) The authorities for the time being empowered to assess, collect and enforce payment of property tax under the law authorising the local authority of the area to levy such tax shall, on behalf of the State Government and subject to any rules, made under this Act, assess, collect and enforce payment of the Fire Service fee in the same manner as the property tax is assessed, paid and collected; and for this purpose, they may exercise all or any of the powers they have under the law aforesaid and the provisions of such law including provisions relating to returns, appeals, reviews, revisions, references and penalties shall supply accordingly. (2) Such portion of the total proceeds of the Fire Service fee, as the State Government may determine, shall be deducted to meet the cost of collection of the fee. (3) The proceeds of the Fire Service fee collected under this Act reduced by the cost of collection shall be paid to the State Government in such manner and at such intervals as may be prescribed. 26. Fixation of fees and procedure for payment. - (1) The State Government may prescribe such fees and such procedure for payment of fees as it may deem fit, for grating any licence under any of the provisions of this Act. (2) The State Government may prescribe such fees and such charges and such conditions as it may deem fit for the purpose of different types of special jobs that may be undertaken by the Manipur Fire Service and that the authority on whose request such job is undertaken will be bound to make such payment. (3) Where members of the Fire Service are sent beyond the limits of any area in which this Act is in force, in order to extinguish a fire in the neighbourhood of such limits the owner or occupier of the premises where the fire occurred or spread shall be liable to pay such fees a may be prescribed in this behalf. (4) The fee referred to in sub-sections (1), (2) and (3) shall be payable within one month of the service of a notice of demand by the Director on the owner or occupier and if it is not paid within that period, it shall be recoverable as an arrear of land revenue.Acquisition of Fire Fighting Property
27. Acquisition of fire fighting property. - (1) If, after making such inquiry and investigation as it deems necessary and after giving the local authority an opportunity to make its representations, the State Government is of opinion that the standard of efficiency of the fire fighting personnel and equipment maintained by the local authority is not adequate to meet the normal requirements of the areas, the State Government may acquire the fire fighting property of the local authority by publishing in the official Gazette a notice to the effect that the State Government has decided to acquire such property on payment of its market value. A copy of such notice shall also be served on the local authority. (2) When a notice as aforesaid is published in the official Gazette, the property specified in such notice shall, on and from the beginning of the date on which the notice is so published, vest absolutely in the State Government free from all encumbrances. 28. Prohibition against transfer of fire fighting property. - No local authority of any area in which this Act is in force, shall after the commencement of this Act in that area, transfer or otherwise part with any fire fighting property without previous sanction of the State Government. 29. Principles and method of determining compensation. - (1) The amount of compensation payable in respect of any fire fighting property acquired under this Act shall be the prevailing market value of such property on the date of issue of the notice referred to in Section 27. (2) The amount of compensation shall be determined in the manner and in accordance with the principles hereinafter set out, that is to say-(a) where the amount of compensation can be fixed by agreement, it shall be paid in accordance with such agreement;
(b) where no such agreement can be reached the State Government shall appoint as arbitrator a person who is, or has been or is qualified for appointment, as a District and Sessions Judge;
(c) the State Government may, in any particular case nominate a person having expert knowledge as to the nature of the property acquired to assist the arbitrator and where such nomination is made, the local authority concerned may also nominate an assessor for the same purpose;
(d) at the commencement of the proceeding before arbitrator, the State Government and the local authority shall state what in their respective opinions is a fair amount of compensation;
(e) the arbitrator shall, after hearing the dispute, make an award determining the amount of compensation which appears to him to be just; and in making the award he shall have due regard to the circumstances of each case and the provisions of this section and nothing in the Arbitration Act, 1940 [Now Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1986 (26 of 1986)] shall apply to arbitration's under this section.
30. Powers of arbitrator. - The arbitrator appointed under Section 29(2)(b), while holding arbitration proceedings under this Act, shall have all the powers of a Civil Court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, in respect of the following matters, namely :(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
(b) requiring the discovery and production of documents;
(c) receiving evidence on affidavits; and
(d) issuing commissions for examination of witnesses.
31. Appeals from awards in respect of compensation. - Where the State Government or a local authority is aggrieved by an award of the arbitrator under Section 29, it may within thirty days from the date of such award prefer an appeal to the District and Sessions Court within whose appellate jurisdiction the acquired property is situated.Penalties
32. Penalty for violating preventive measures. - (1) Any person who violates any of the provisions under Sections 11, 15, 16 and 17 of this Act, shall be punishable, on conviction before a Magistrate, with imprisonment which may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to Rs. five thousand or with both. (2) Any person who uses any warehouse or any workshop in respect of which a licence has been refused or after the licence in respect thereof has been withdrawn during the time for which such licence has been suspended, shall be punishable, on conviction before a Magistrate, with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to Rs. one thousand or both. (3) Any holder of a licence who violates any of the conditions under which a licence is held in respect of any warehouse or workshop shall be punishable, on conviction before a Magistrate, with imprisonment which may extend to six months or with fine up to Rs. one thousand or with both. (4) If there be a change in the occupation of a warehouse, the person entering into occupation fails to give a notice and to pay the fees required under Section 14 or if a licence is not renewed timely as required under Section 11(6) such person or the owner or occupier of such warehouse or workshop shall be punishable, on conviction before a Magistrate, with fine at the rate of Rs. twenty per day. (5) Any person who wilfully obstructs or offers any resistance to or impedes or otherwise interferes with the Director or any officer exercising powers under Section 13, or any assistant accompanying the Director or such officer while exercising such powers, shall be punishable, on conviction before a Magistrate, with imprisonment which may extend to six months or with fine up to Rs. five hundred or with both. (6) Any person who wilfully obstructs or interferes with any member of the Fire Service who is engaged in fire fighting or other emergency operations, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months or with fine up to Rs. five hundred or with both. 33. Violation of duty, etc. - Any member of the Fire Service who-(a) is found to be guilty of any violation of duty or wilful breach of any provision of this Act or any rules or order made thereunder, or
(b) is bound to be guilty of cowardice, or
(c) withdraws from the duties of his office without permission or without having given previous notice of at least two months, or
(d) being absent on leave fails without reasonable cause to report himself for duty on the expiry of such leave, or
(e) accepts any other employment or office in contravention of the provisions of Section 38 of this Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months or with fine which may extend to an amount not exceeding three months' pay of such member or both.
34. Failure to give information. - Any person who without just cause fails to communicate information in his possession regarding an outbreak of fire shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under the first part of Section 176 of the Indian Penal Code. 35. False report. - Any person who knowingly gives or causes to be given a false report of the outbreak of a fire to any person authorised to receive such report by means of a statement, message or otherwise shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under Section 177 of the Indian Penal Code. 36. Operation of other Laws not barred. - Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to prevent any person from being prosecuted under any other law for any act or omission which constitutes an offence under this Act: Provided that no such prosecution, civil or criminal, shall be instituted except with the previous sanction of the State Government or of the authority prescribed in this behalf by the State Government if the act is done or purported to be done in the discharge of his official duty.General and Miscellaneous
37. Training Centre. - The State Government may establish and maintain one or more Training Centres in the State for providing courses of instructions in fire prevention, fire fighting and rescue operations and may close or re-establish any such Centre. 38. Bar to other employment. - No member of the Fire Service shall engage in any employment or office whatsoever other than his duties under this Act unless expressly permitted to do so by the Director. 39. Transfer to other area. - The Director or any officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf may, on the occasion of a fire or other emergency in any neighbouring area in which this Act is not in force, order the despatch of the members of the Fire Service with necessary appliances and equipments to carry on fire fighting operations in such neighbouring area and thereupon all the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder shall apply to such area during the period of fire or emergency or during such period as the Director may specify. 40. Employment on other duties. - It shall be lawful for the State Government or any officer authorised by it in this behalf to employ the Fire Service in any rescue, salvage or other work for which it is suitable by reason of its training, appliances and equipments. It shall also be the duty of the Fire Service to provide appropriate services and relief to the people in distress situation. 41. Enquiry into origin of fire and report to Magistrate. - Where any fire has occurred within any area in which this Act is in force, the senior-most officer in rank among the members of the Fire Service in that area shall ascertain the facts as to the origin and cause of such fire and shall make a report thereon to the Magistrate having jurisdiction in the place in which such fire occurs; and the said Magistrate shall, in any case where he may deem fit, summon witnesses and take evidence in order to further ascertain such facts. Such Magistrate shall submit his findings to the Government; provided that copies of all reports and of all evidence recorded under this section shall be furnished on application to any Fire Insurance Company or other interested persons on payment for such copies. 42. Liability of property owner to pay compensation. - (1) Any person whose property catches fire on account of any action of his own or of his agent done deliberately or negligently shall be liable to pay compensation to any other person suffering damage to his property on account of any action taken under Section 22 of this Act by any officer mentioned therein or any person acting under the authority of such officer. (2) All claims under sub-section (1) shall be preferred to the District Magistrate within thirty days from the date when the damage was caused. (3) The District Magistrate shall, after giving the parties an opportunity of being heard, determine the amount of compensation due and pass an order stating such amount and the person liable for the same and the order so passed shall have the force of a decree of a civil court. 43. Power to obtain information. - Any officer of the Fire Service not below the rank of officer-in-charge of a fire station or sub-station may, for the purpose of discharging his duties under the Act, require the owner or occupier of any building or other property to supply information with respect to the character of such building or other property, the available water supplies and means of access thereto and any other material particulars, and such owner or occupier shall furnish all the information in his possession. 44. Power of entry. - (1) The Director or any member of the Fire Service authorised by him in this behalf may enter any of the place specified in any notification issued under Section 11 (1) for the purpose of determining whether precautions against fire required to be taken on such place have been so taken. (2) No claim shall lie against any person for compensation for any damage necessarily caused by any entry made under sub-section (1). 45. Consumption of water. - No charge or objection shall be made or raised by any local authority or individual for water consumed in fire fighting operations by the Fire Service. 46. No compensation for interruption of water supply. - No authority in charge of water supply in an area shall be entitled to any claim for compensation for damage by reason of any interruption of supply of water occasioned by compliance of such authority with the requirement specified in Clause (d) of Section 22. 47. Police Officers to aid. - It shall be the duty of Police Officers of all ranks to aid the members of the Fire Service in the execution of their duties under the Act. 48. Information on outbreak of fire. - Any person who possesses any information regarding an outbreak of fire shall communicate the same by quickest means the nearest Fire Station. 49. Indemnity. - No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against any member of the Fire Service for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or any rule or order made thereunder. 50. Power to make rules. - (1) The State Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, such rules may provide for-(a) the number and grades of officers and members of the Fire Service;
(b) the manner of appointment of members of the Fire Service;
(c) the form of the certificate to be issued to the members of the Fire Service under Section 7 (1) of this Act;
(d) the conditions of the service of the members of the Fire Service including their rank, pay, allowance, house rent, hours of duty and leave, maintenance of discipline and removal from the service;
(e) the circumstances in which and the conditions (including the levy of fee) subject to which members of the Fire Service may be despatched to carry on fire fighting operations in neighbouring areas;
(f) the conditions subject to which members of the Fire Service may be employed on rescue, salvage or other work;
(g) adoption of precautionary measures for premises in any area or of any place used for purposes which in the opinion of the State Government are likely to cause a risk of fire;
(h) the manner in which and the intervals at which the proceeds of the fire tax levied under this Act, shall be paid to the State Government; the conditions under which a licence may be granted and the fees to be levied thereof; the authority to which appeals against refusal, withdrawal, suspension of licence shall lie and the manner in which such appeal shall be filed and the fees to be paid thereof;
(i) the manner of service of notice under this Act;
(j) the procedure to the followed in arbitration proceedings under Sections 29 and 30 of this Act;
(k) the payment of rewards to persons, not being members of the Fire Service who render effective services;
(l) the compensation payable to members of the Fire Service in case of accidents or to their dependants in case of death while engaged on duty;
(m) for the employment of members of the Fire Service or use of any equipment outside the area or on special services and the fee payable thereof; and
(n) any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed.
(3) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be, before the Legislative Assembly while it is in session, for a total period of twenty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions and if, before expiry of the session immediately following or successive sessions aforesaid, the House agrees in making modification in the rule or that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be so, however, that any such modification or amendment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule. 51. Repeal and saving. - (1) If immediately before the day on which this Act comes into force in an area, there is in force in that area any law or rule having the force of law which corresponds to this Act, such corresponding law in so far as it relates to any matter for which provision has been made in this Act shall on that day stand repealed : Provided that such repeal shall not be deemed to limit, modify or derogate from the general responsibility of any Local Authority-(a) to provide and maintain such water supply and fire hydrants for fire fighting purposes as may be directed by the State Government from time to time;
(b) to frame bye-laws for the regulation of dangerous trades;
(c) to order any of its employees to render aid in fighting a fire when reasonably called upon to do so by any member of the Fire Service; and
(d) generally to take such measures as will lessen the likelihood of fires or preventing the spread of fire.
(2) Notwithstanding such repeal,-(a) any appeal, application, enquiry or investigation pending, shall be disposed of, continued, held or made, as the case may be, in accordance with the corresponding provisions of this Act;
(b) all notifications, orders issued, powers conferred, forms prescribed, local jurisdiction defined, punishment awarded, and sentences passed under any Act which was in force before commencement of this Act.
51. Public servants. - All members of the Manipur Fire Service under this Act shall be deemed to be public servants as defined under Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (Act No. 45 of 1860).
