What Is Boilers Bill? How It Will Change A 100-Year-Old Law — Explained

The bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Ministry stated that the bill, which would formally revoke the Boilers Act of 1923, received Union Cabinet approval on August 2

The Commerce and Industry Ministry announced that a Boiler bill is set to replace the century-old Boilers Act of 1923. The new bill proposes decriminalising three out of seven offences and enhancing the ease of doing business operations. The bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Ministry stated that the bill, which would formally revoke the Boilers Act of 1923, received Union Cabinet approval on August 2.

“The re-enacted legislation meets the current requirements of stakeholders including industry, personnel working on or with boilers and implementers in the country and is as per need in the current times,” the ministry said in a statement Tuesday.

What Is Boilers Act 1923

The Boilers Act 1923 was made to prevent accidents caused by boiler explosions. It mandated that boilers should be certified before use and created a Central Boiler Board to oversee regulations enforced at the state level. The Act applied to various steam-generating appliances and involved inspections of their design, construction, and operation. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in penalties or shutdowns. 

In 2007, amendments broadened the Act horizon to include pressure vessels and introduced new safety directives. To further enhance clarity, the Bill includes new definitions and revises some existing ones. 

New Boilers Bill

The new boilers Bill includes specific provisions to ensure the safety of individuals working with boilers and mandates that boiler repairs be carried out by qualified and competent professionals. According to the ministry, the revised legislation addresses the current needs of stakeholders, including the industry, boiler operators, and implementers, and is tailored to contemporary requirements.

Previously, provisions were scattered throughout the Boilers Act of 1923; now, they have been consolidated into six chapters for clearer understanding in the new bill. The roles and responsibilities of the central and state governments, as well as the Central Boilers Board, are detailed to eliminate any ambiguity.

For the ease of doing business, the Bill introduces measures that will benefit boiler users, including those in the MSME sector, by incorporating decriminalisation provisions. Of the seven offences outlined, criminal penalties will remain for four major offences that pose significant risks to life and property, while other offences will incur fiscal penalties. Non-criminal offences will now face 'punishment' instead of 'penalties,' administered through an executive mechanism rather than the courts. This adjustment aims to alleviate the burden on the courts while maintaining oversight of boiler regulations and streamlining the resolution process.

The Bill seeks to simplify compliance for businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), by offering more precise guidelines and reducing the administrative effort required to adhere to boiler regulations.