RS clears Bill for regulating boilers, safety of life, property

• The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday cleared a bill with provisions for regulation of boilers, safety of life and property from explosions, and uniformity in registrations. Highlights:

Highlights:

Key Highlights of the Boilers Bill, 2024

• The Rajya Sabha approved the Boilers Bill, 2024, repealing the Boilers Act, 1923. The bill introduces updated provisions for boiler regulation, prioritizing safety and operational standards in industries.

Objectives of the Bill:

• Safety Measures: Ensures safety for workers operating boilers and safeguards against property loss from boiler explosions.
• Qualified Repairs: Mandates boiler repairs to be conducted by certified and competent professionals.
• Uniformity and Modernization: Aims to standardize boiler registration and operations across the country.

Provisions on Decriminalization:

• The bill introduces reforms to benefit boiler users, especially in the MSME sector:
• Reduction of Penalties: Out of seven offences, only four severe violations involving loss of life and property retain criminal penalties.
• Ease of Compliance: Decriminalization of lesser offences reduces legal burdens on boiler operators.

Impact on MSMEs:

• The updated regulations align with industry needs, promoting safety while simplifying compliance. This is expected to benefit small and medium enterprises that rely on boilers for their operations.

Prelims Takeaways

• Boilers Bill, 2024