Fire prevention and fire Safety measures in the pandals to be self-

26. Fire prevention and fire Safety measures in the pandals to be self- regulatory. — (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the electors of pandals shall be deemed to be self-regulators for taking fire prevention and fire safety measures prescribed under sub-section (2) of Section 25. (2) The erector of a pandal shall display at a prominent place in the pandal a declaration in the prescribed form and under his own signature to the effect that he has taken all the prescribed fire prevention and fire safety measures therein. (3) It shall be lawful for the Director, nominated authority, or any other officer authorized by the Government or Director General, Fire Services on this behalf to enter and inspect the pandal with a view to verify the correctness of the declaration so made by the erector under sub-section (2) and to point out the shortcomings, if any, with directions to remove them within a specified time. If the directions of the inspecting officer are not complied with within the time so given, the inspecting officer shall seal the pandal. (4) Any erector of a pandal who falsely declares that he has complied with the prescribed fire prevention and fire safety measures in the pandal shall be deemed to have committed an offense punishable under Section 52 of this Act.