Lok Sabha Passes The Boilers Bill, 2024: A New Era in Boiler Regulation

On March 25, 2025, the Lok Sabha approved The Boilers Bill, 2024, marking a significant shift in boiler safety and regulation in India. This legislation replaces the Boilers Act of 1923, a century-old law that had become outdated and inefficient for modern industrial needs. The new bill aims to enhance safety standards, streamline boiler regulations, and promote ease of doing business in the sector.

Key Provisions and Improvements

The Boilers Bill, 2024, incorporates several key changes to improve boiler safety and compliance processes:

• Safety Enhancements: Provisions have been included to ensure that only qualified and competent personnel handle boiler repairs and operations. This move is expected to reduce accidents and enhance worker safety.
• Decriminalization of Minor Offenses: The bill decriminalizes seven offenses, converting penalties for non-criminal violations into fiscal penalties that can be enforced administratively rather than through the courts. However, serious offenses that could endanger life or property still carry criminal penalties.
• Ease of Doing Business: The bill simplifies compliance for businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by reducing the legal burden for minor offenses, thereby improving business efficiency while maintaining safety standards.
• Streamlined Boiler Regulations: The Act has been reorganized into six chapters for easier navigation, making it more accessible and understandable compared to the scattered provisions in the 1923 Act.

Benefits for Industries and SMEs

The Boilers Bill, 2024, is set to benefit various stakeholders in the boiler sector, including large industries and small to medium-sized enterprises. Here are some of the key advantages:

• Reduced Legal Burden: SMEs will particularly benefit from the decriminalization of minor offenses, as compliance processes become simpler and less onerous.
• Enhanced Safety: By ensuring that only qualified personnel handle boiler operations, the risk of accidents is reduced, leading to a safer working environment.
• Uniform Registration and Inspection: The bill promotes uniformity in registration and inspection processes across different states, ensuring consistent safety standards nationwide.

Government Support and Cooperation

The passage of the bill reflects the government's commitment to cooperative federalism and ease of doing business. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that the legislation was developed with extensive stakeholder consultations and does not encroach upon state governments' powers.

Historical Context and Evolution

The Boilers Act, 1923, was a landmark legislation in its time but had become outdated due to technological advancements and changing industrial practices. The Indian Boilers (Amendment) Act, 2007, introduced significant changes, including third-party inspection. However, the need for comprehensive reform led to the development of The Boilers Bill, 2024.

Legislative Process and Timeline

• Rajya Sabha Approval: The Boilers Bill, 2024, was passed by the Rajya Sabha in December 2024.
• Lok Sabha Approval: The Lok Sabha approved the bill on March 25, 2025.
• Next Steps: The bill will now be sent for presidential assent before becoming law.

Public Debate and Feedback

During the debate in the Lok Sabha, several members raised issues related to safety, pollution, and the impact on small industries. Some concerns included:

• Environmental Norms: Members highlighted the absence of explicit environmental provisions in the bill, suggesting that these issues are addressed through other legislation.
• Pollution: There were calls to include provisions addressing pollution caused by industrial boilers.
• Penalties for Large Industries: Some members advocated for differentiated penalties for large industrialists to ensure they prioritize safety measures.

In response, Minister Goyal assured that the government prioritizes safety aspects while promoting ease of doing business and has given due consideration to environmental issues through other laws.

Conclusion

The passage of The Boilers Bill, 2024, marks a significant step forward in India's efforts to modernize its regulatory framework for boilers. By enhancing safety, simplifying compliance, and promoting ease of doing business, the legislation aims to support the growth of industries and SMEs in the sector while ensuring the welfare of workers and the public.