Last Updated: 23 November 2024

Punjab 1st states to encourage recruitment of women into Fire brigade^[1]
-- AAP Govt reduces the required load weight for physical test from 60 Kg to 40 Kg for female candidates^[2]
-- 1st state to make these changes^[2:1]

Earlier both Men and Women have to pass a similar physical test for getting into firefighting services^[3]
-- Women used to fail despite passing written exam

¶ Punjab Fire and Emergency Service Bill, 2024^[2:2]

Government made changes to the physical criteria traditionally required for women seeking employment in the firefighting services

• Bill was passed on 5th Sept 2024 in Assembly^[2:3] and approved by Governor on 27th Oct 2024^[4]
• New Bill reduces the required load weight to 40 kg from earlier 60 Kg for female candidates, making Punjab the first state in India to implement such a change

¶ Background^[5]

• To enroll as a firefighter in Punjab, one had to cover a distance of 100 yards in one minute carrying stones weighing 60 kg
• This physical stamina test came as a rude shock for nearly 1,400 women who had applied for recruitment as firefighters
• This was brought to attention of CM Bhagwant Mann on 7th Feb 2024 by women aspirants
• CM Mann announced then itself that physical criteria to be revised

References:

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1. https://english.jagran.com/india/punjab-govt-mulls-3000-new-jobs-in-anganwadi-recruitment-of-women-in-fire-brigade-10181384 ↩︎

2. https://www.dailypioneer.com/2024/state-editions/punjab-assembly-passes-4-key-bills--fire-safety-norms-eased--rs-5l-grant-for-unanimous-panchayats.html ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

3. https://www.amarujala.com/chandigarh/women-will-be-recruited-in-fire-department-in-punjab-2024-08-18 ↩︎

4. https://www.dailypioneer.com/2024/state-editions/punjab-governor-approves-fire-and-emergency-service-bill--enhancing-fire-safety-regulations.html ↩︎

5. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/punjab-government-launches-aap-di-sarkaar-aap-de-dwar-programme-ahead-of-ls-polls-9146407/ ↩︎