The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said the Boiler Bill, which will replace the century-old law, decriminalise certain offences and promote ease of doing business, was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
The bill, which repeal the 1923 Boiler Act, was reported to have been approved by the Federal Cabinet on August 2nd.
The bill has specific provisions to ensure the safety of people working inside boilers, and also stipulates that repairs to boilers should be carried out by qualified and competent people, he added.
The ministry said the re-enacted law meets the current requirements of stakeholders including the country’s industries, boiler manpower and implementers and is in line with current needs.
Similar provisions found in different parts of the Boilers Act, 1923 have been grouped together in six chapters with a view to making the Act easier to read and understand.
To avoid any confusion, all functions/powers of the Central Government, State Governments and Central Boiler Board have been enumerated in detail.
In terms of ease of doing business, he said the Bill would benefit boiler users, including the small and medium enterprises sector, as it contains provisions on decriminalisation.
Of the seven violations, criminal penalties will be maintained for four major violations that may lead to loss of life and property, to ensure the safety of boilers and those working on them.
For other offences, provisions have been made for fines, he added, and for all non-criminal offences, “fines” have been changed to “penalties”, which will now be imposed through administrative mechanisms rather than through the traditional courts.
Furthermore, redundant or outdated provisions have been omitted.
“The Boiler Bill, 2024 was tabled in Rajya Sabha today (August 6, 2024),” the statement said.
The Boiler Act of 1923 is a pre-Constitutional law that deals with safety of life and property.
“It is therefore important to continue the enactment by reviewing the provisions of the current law and introducing the Boiler Bill 2024 in Parliament,” the report said.
