The Boilers Bill, 2024 - polity
NEWS: The Boilers Bill, 2024 was passed by the Rajya
Sabha, replacing the Boilers Act of 1923, which was enacted during the colonial
period.
WHAT’S IN
THE NEWS?
Background
·The Boilers Act, 1923 regulates the manufacturing, installation, operation,
alterations, and repair of steam boilers to ensure their safe operation.
·The Boilers Act, 1923 focuses on safety and is being
updated to reflect current needs and incorporate decriminalized
provisions under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions)
Act, 2023.
·The Boilers Act, 1923 was amended in 2007 to include independent
third-party inspections, but further review was needed.
·Therefore, Boilers Bill, 2024 has been redrafted according to modern
drafting practices for clarity.
Salient
Features of the Boilers Bill, 2024
·Regulation of Boilers: The Bill regulates the
manufacturing, installation, operation, alterations, and repair of boilers.
·Registration is required before operation, renewable annually.
·The Central Boilers Board can make regulations, and state governments
appoint inspectors.
·Exemptions: Boilers with specific capacities or uses are exempt
(e.g., those below 25 liters or below 1 kg/cm² pressure).
·The state can exempt boilers in emergencies or to support rapid industrial
growth.
·Offences and Penalties: Penalties for offences
like altering boilers without approval or tampering with safety valves.
Penalties range from fines to imprisonment.
·Safety and Uniformity: The Bill aims to
ensure safety from boiler explosions and ensure uniformity across the country.
·Decriminalization Provisions: Incorporates
decriminalization measures from the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023.
·Fines have been replaced with penalties
for non-criminal offences, with penalties levied through executive mechanisms
rather than courts.
·New clauses 35 (Adjudication) and 36 (Appeal) have been added for dispute
resolution.
Importance
·The Bill aims to enhance safety in factories using
industrial boilers by ensuring uniformity in regulations across India,
including standards for construction, pressure specifications, registration,
and periodic inspections.
·The focus is on preventing boiler explosions and ensuring
the safety of life and property.
·The Bill benefits boiler users, especially in the MSME sector, by
incorporating decriminalization provisions.
Key
Issues
·Exemption from Provisions: The Bill allows state
governments to exempt certain areas, potentially compromising safety.
·Lack of Appeal Mechanism: No judicial recourse
for decisions made by the central government or inspectors; appeals can only be
made through writ petitions to the High Court.
·Entry Powers for Inspectors: Inspectors have powers
to enter premises, but no safeguards are specified, unlike similar laws.
·Simplification of Compliance: Some states allow
self-certification for boilers, but the Bill does not incorporate this feature.
·The Bill does not specify time limits for inspections or approvals for
alterations and repairs.
Conclusion
and Way Forward
·The Boilers Bill, 2024, represents a significant step towards modernizing
India’s regulatory framework for boilers.
·By enhancing safety measures and simplifying processes, the bill aims to
support industrial growth while ensuring the well-being of workers and the
public.
·Its implementation will require careful attention to avoid compromising
environmental standards, judicial fairness, and consistent enforcement.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rajya-sabha-passes-boilers-bill/article68948030.ece