The Dhaka Times Desk India's disaster-hit state of Bihar has declared a total ban on lighting fires for cooking and other essential purposes during the day. Al Jazeera said this ban is to prevent possible fires.
According to media reports, the local government has taken this initiative after about 80 people died in a fire in the state last week. However, there is widespread criticism against this directive of the government.
A cooking order was issued this week in the Indian state of Bihar. In this regard, state disaster management department official Beas said that, 'We have issued this ban to avoid accidents like fire. Because, during the dry season, the fire is easily spread by the wind. It caused a lot of casualties and damage.'
The directive of the state government also said that the people of Bihar cannot light their stoves between 9 am and 6 pm. No one can light a fire during the day even for religious purposes. Disobedience of this order shall be punishable with imprisonment of two years. Residents of Bihar can only light stoves for cooking and other purposes at night!
It should be noted that about 300 people have died this month due to extreme heat in India. 110 of whom are residents of Odisha. The rest are 137 from Telangana and 45 from Andhra Pradesh.
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