Life guards in swimming pools must: Maharashtra Govt

Maharashtra government today announced that deputing life guards is a must at swimming pools and the norms would be ensured from the time of constructing swimming pools in the state.

"It is mandatory for the swimming pools to have one life guard per 20 swimmers for the safety of the people," Minister of state for Urban Development Bhaskar Jadhav informed the Legislative Council.

Congress MLC Mohan Joshi raised the issue of safety of swimmers in swimming pools run by Pune Municipal Corporation.

Jadhav said the Pune Corporation is not following the guidelines to keep life guards. It has 137 pools and only 134 guards, he added.

"The life guards should be approved by Maharashtra Amateur Swimming Association and instructions would be given to Pune Corporation," the minister said.