DRAFT EXPLOSIVES BILL,
2024 - GOVERNANCE
News: Govt proposes new explosives
law
What's in the news?
●
The Department for Promotion of Industry and
Internal Trade (DPIIT) released ‘Draft Explosives Bill (2024)’, for public
Consultation.
Draft Explosives Bill
2024:
●
Replaces ‘Explosives Act, 1884’ aimed to regulate
the manufacture, possession, use, sale, transport, import and export of explosives.
Important Provisions:
1. Defines Explosive:
●
Explosive means gunpowder, nitroglycerine,
nitroglycol, guncotton, or any other substance used or manufactured to produce
a practical effect by explosion or pyrotechnic effect.
2. Licensing Authority:
●
Chief Controller of Explosives or such other authority
as may be prescribed.
●
The Central
Government shall prescribe the authority competent to grant, suspend or
revoke a licence.
●
Currently, PESO
is responsible for such things.
3. Punishment for
Contravention:
●
Manufacturing, import or export in contravention of
the Act will attract imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of Rs 1,00,000,
or both.
4. Power of Central
Government:
●
It can make rules to carry out the provisions of
this Act.
Go back to basics:
Explosives Act, 1884:
●
The Explosives Act of 1884 is a crucial piece of
Indian legislation that governs the manufacture, possession, use, sale,
transportation, import, and export of explosives in India.
Historical Backdrop:
●
Enacted during British colonial rule, the
Explosives Act of 1884 aimed to regulate various aspects of explosives.
Safety Regulations:
●
The Act applies to various types of explosives,
including gunpowder, dynamite,
nitroglycerin, and other similar substances.
●
The Act mandated safety standards and procedures to mitigate risks associated with
explosives, encompassing handling, transportation, and storage guidelines to
prevent accidents.
Power of Central
Government:
●
The Act empowers the Central Government to make
rules regulating the manufacture, possession, use, sale, transport, import, and
export of explosives.
●
These rules govern the issuance of licences, fees,
conditions, and exemptions.
Prohibition of Dangerous
Explosives:
●
The Central Government can prohibit the
manufacture, possession, or importation of especially dangerous explosives in
the interest of public safety.
Exemption:
●
The Act does not affect the provisions of the Arms Act, 1959.
●
Provisions are made for licences issued under the
Explosives Act to have the effect of licences under the Arms Act.
●
The Arms Act of 1959 regulates the possession,
acquisition, and carrying of ammunition and firearms. It also aims to curb
illegal weapons and violence.
●
The Arms Act of 1959 replaced the Indian Arms Act
of 1878.
Petroleum and Explosives
Safety Organisation (PESO):
●
Nodal agency for regulating safety of hazardous
substances such as explosives, compressed gas and petroleum.
●
It was established in 1898.
Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Mandate:
●
Administer the responsibilities delegated under the
Explosives Act 1884 and Petroleum Act
1934 and the Rules made thereunder.