The matter stems from Government Order 568, issued on 24 November 1992, which laid out the Andhra Pradesh Fire Service Subordinate Service Rules
The Telangana High Court has voiced its displeasure over the state government’s continued delay in framing fire safety regulations, expressing concern at the lack of progress despite repeated directions.
A division bench comprising Justice P Sam Koshy and Justice Nandikonda Narsing Rao has asked Telangana Chief Secretary Rama Krishna Rao to appear before the court on 16 July if the Telangana Fire Service Subordinate Service Rules are not finalised by then. The bench was responding to a petition that flagged the prolonged delay in formalising these rules.
The matter stems from Government Order 568, issued on 24 November 1992, which laid out the Andhra Pradesh Fire Service Subordinate Service Rules. These rules, however, were never enforced in Telangana due to various conditions and the absence of the General Clauses Act, raising concerns about regulatory clarity and preparedness.
Since April 2025, the High Court has directed the government to provide updates on the status of the rule-making process. In that month, the court had given a final deadline of 16 June. However, with no substantial progress made, the court criticised the government for what it described as a lack of seriousness, noting that the file had merely been moved between departments without meaningful action.
During the most recent hearing, the government pleader presented a communication from the Special Chief Secretary and requested a further adjournment. The court rejected this request, censuring the state’s approach and observing that the continued delay had compelled it to summon top officials. The judges questioned why the state government remained unwilling to frame the necessary rules, stressing the importance of regulatory safeguards in fire safety administration.
