Boilers Bill 2024: Modernizing Industrial Safety Standards

The Boilers Bill 2024 is a legislative effort to modernize industrial safety standards in India. It replaces the century-old Boilers Act of 1923 and aims to enhance worker safety and improve business operations.

Legislative Overview and Key Objectives

Boilers Bill 2024 replace s the century-old Boilers Act of 1923
Introduced by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal
Aims to enhance worker safety and improve business operations
Introducing more transparent mechanisms for boiler regulation.
Modernizes regulations for industrial boilers
Boilers Bill 2024 represents a significant legislative effort to modernize industrial safety standards.
Replacing a colonial-era act, the government aims to create a more responsive and efficient regulatory framework.
Addresses outdated pre-independence era legislation
Divided into six comprehensive chapters
Incorporates provisions from Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023
Focuses on streamlining technical aspects of boiler regulation
Currently, India has approximately 40 lakh steam boilers in operation

Safety and Regulatory Mechanisms

Establishes a Central Boilers Board to regulate boiler design and manufacturing
Mandates inspections by state-appointed inspectors or authorized third parties
Ensures repair of boilers by qualified professionals
Decriminalizes seven offences, retaining criminal penalties for four serious offences
Converts fines to penalties for non-criminal offences
Introduces executive mechanism for penalty implementation
Provides for periodic inspection and registration of boilers
Emphasizes safety of life and property from potential boiler explosions
Creates accountability among boiler operators

Business and Political Implications

Promotes Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), especially for MSME sector
Received support from BJP members like Brij Lal
Faced criticism from opposition members
Sulata Deo (BJD) highlighted potential inspection failures
Dr. Fauzia Khan (NCP) argued for stronger sustainability provisions
Concerns raised about limited judicial recourse
State governments can potentially exempt certain areas from the bill
No specified timelines for inspections or approvals
Reflects government's approach to reviewing pre-constitution acts

The legislation addresses multiple concerns:

Updating obsolete regulatory frameworks
Enhancing worker protection
Simplifying business processes
Creating more accountability in industrial operations

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