The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday (August 28, 2025) announced the formation of a new Fire Commission and appointed the state’s current Head of Police Force (HoPF), Shankar Jiwal (IPS:1990:TN), as its first chairman with effect from September 1. Notably, Jiwal is scheduled to retire on August 31.
The Fire Commission has been constituted to implement the assurance made by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, who also holds the Home portfolio, on the floor of the Assembly on May 10, 2022. The commission is tasked with recommending the adoption of new technological innovations in fire and life rescue operations, regulating the issuance of fire licences and fire safety certificates for buildings, and suggesting training programmes to strengthen the capacity of fire and rescue services personnel.
Apart from Jiwal as chairman, the commission will include an Additional Director (Administration), the Member-Secretary of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), former Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD) K. P. Sathyamurthy, and retired fire service officer M. Namasivayam as full-time members. Dr. A. M. Ikram, Fire Marshal Secretary of the Indian Medical Association at Christian Medical College, Vellore, will serve as a part-time member.
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