Patna: The ruling Nitish Kumar government in Bihar has issued an advisory to people living in the rural areas, strictly warning them against cooking food between 9am and 6pm, as part of the latest measures to prevent incidents of fires across the state this summer.
The entire state has been reeling under record heatwaves with temperature soaring over 45 degree Celsius even in April.
The advisory issued by the Disaster Management Department (DMD) also warns that those violating the order could face two-year jail term.
Through the advisory issued via advertisements in local newspapers, the villagers have been directed to strictly adhere to the order in any circumstances lest this may invite severe legal action.
“You are advised to cook your lunch before 9 in the morning and dinner after 6 in the evening. Please also put out fire after cooking the food,” the advisory says.
The advisory also suggests the people to complete their “havan” (fire rituals in Hindu worship) strictly before 9am and not to burn wheat crops leftovers in the fields to minimise chances of fire incidents.
“The point is that hundreds of lives are at risk. The order has only been given after a detailed survey on just how the fires started. The jail term is based on a law on disaster management,” DMD secretary Vyasji who goes by one only name told the local media today. He has also asked all the district magistrates and divisional commissioners to widely publicise the advisory and take strict legal action against the violators.
The instruction follows an alarming rise in incidents of fire outbreaks this summer with the soaring temperature breaking all previous records, bringing untold miseries to the general masses. As per an official record, the fire has claimed 74 human and more than 250 animal lives, apart from destroying over 16,000 homes and standing crops in 11,575 acres of lands.
