Fifteen ever-alert personnel and eight cylinders at any given time keep the flame in memory of seven martyrs glowing round-the-clock in the Assembly.

The Amar Jyoti near the Assembly’s second gate has kept the flame going ever since it was established in 1998 under former Speaker (late) Dev Narayan Yadav’s initiative. It was set up in remembrance of seven persons who took part in the Quit India Movement and were killed in police firing on August 11, 1942. Former chief minister Rabri Devi inaugurated the Amar Jyoti on August 15, 1998. Lalu Prasad and then Speaker Yadav were present at the event.

Around 15 dedicated employees, including a caretaker and six Bihar police security guards, now take care to ensure that the flame is never extinguished — even in the rarest of rare cases. Outsiders and visitors are not allowed near the structure — a four-feet pedestal home to a copper pot — but the ones guarding it would be ready with information on the 15-year-old (and running) flame.

Manjay Rawat, its caretaker since 1998, said an underground gas pipe provides round-the-clock fuel to the flame, the pressure of which is maintained regularly. “Six Bihar police security guards are on duty to protect the flame. Outsiders and visitors are not allowed near it.”

But taking care of the flame is no joke. Clearly not for Rawat and the 14 other personnel, including a gardener and three employees of the gas agency that supplies cylinders for the purpose.

He said: “It is a tough job. If that flame is turned off — which has not happened yet — the staff deputed here, including myself, will be suspended immediately. Legal action would be taken against us. Nobody can save us.”

On the mechanics of the martyr’s flame, the caretaker said a row of eight cylinders keep it glowing. Once the flame starts to diminish, a second row of eight cylinders is connected. That ensures there is no break in the Amar Jyoti and also the careers of those guarding it are safe.

Rawat said: “In one day, eight cylinders connected in a row are used up. There is a special gas godown on the Assembly premises where 45 cylinders are stored for the Amar Jyoti. Two rows of eight cylinders each are connected to the flame. If the gas in the cylinders in the first row is about to be exhausted, the second row is turned on ensuring that the flame is never put off.”

“Apart from the security personnel, three persons from the gas agency are deputed at night to look after the flame. In case of strong winds and heavy rain, the pressure of the flame is increased so that it is not extinguished,” he added.

The building construction department, responsible for the upkeep of the Amar Jyoti, invites tenders from gas agencies for the flame. The gas agency ensures the godown has adequate cylinders to serve the flame. At present, Om Sai Gas Agency provides cylinders for the purpose. Ever since the former Speaker established the Amar Jyoti, domestic cylinders are secured at non-subsidised rates to keep the flame glowing.

Rural works minister Bhim Singh said: “The martyrs had made the highest sacrifice, the sacrifice of life. The flame of Amar Jyoti will never extinguish and will keep inspiring the coming generations.” Praising the former Speaker’s initiative to set up the Amar Jyoti, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Abdul Bari Siddiqui said: “Dev Narayan Yadav was a Gandhian and a socialist leader. He was the one who ideated the Amar Jyoti in memory of the martyrs.”