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

Context: 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. The Boilers Bill, 2024, which seeks to repeal the
century-old Boilers act, 1923, was cleared in the upper house by a voice vote.
The bill has provisions to ensure the safety of people working inside a boiler
apart from repair of boilers to be undertaken by qualified and competent
persons. The bill will benefit boiler users, including those in the MSME
sectors.

The Boiler Bill, 2024

·      
About: It will repeal Boilers Act,
1923 which was enacted with to ensure uniformity throughout India in all
technical aspects pertaining to regulation of boiler. Earlier, act was amended
by Indian Boilers (Amendment) Act, 2007 which introduced inspection and
certification by independent third-party inspecting authorities. Act was
further reviewed to incorporate decriminalised provisions in consonance with
Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023.

·      
Key features of Bill: Define
competent authority as an institution recognised in such manner as may be
specified by regulations, for grant of certificate to the welders for welding
of boiler and boiler component. Any person who makes any structural alteration,
addition or renewal in or to a boiler without obtaining authorisation of Chief
Inspector shall be punishable. Central Government has power to remove any
difficulty in giving effect to provisions of Boilers Act, 2024 within a period
of three years from date of commencement of this Act. Central Government
constitute Central Boilers Board to regulate design, manufacture, erection and
use of boiler and boiler components.

·      
Objective of Bill: Regulation of
manufacture and use of boilers, ensuring safety of life and property of persons
from danger of explosions of boilers. Prohibits the use of unregistered and
uncertified boilers, mandates reporting of accidents and promotes uniformity in
registration and inspection processes throughout manufacturing, erection and
use of boilers.

·      
Importance of Industrial Boiler: Boiler deals
with burning of fuel in large quantities, attainment of high temperature &
pressure zones, handling of high energy steam etc.