New Bill to replace a century old law Boilers Bill to improve trust by decriminalising offences 3 out of 7 offences decriminalised, speedy redressal for all non-criminal offences Obsolete provisions removed to enhance Ease of Doing Business New Act to prioritise safety of workers

The Boilers Bill, 2024 was introduced in Lok Sabha today by the  Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal. It repeals the Boilers Act, 1923 (5 of 1923). The Bill had earlier been passed by the  Rajya Sabha on 4th December, 2024 and shall be sent  for assent of the President of India after it is passed by the Lok Sabha.

The re-enacted legislation meets the current requirements of stakeholders including industry, personnel working on/with boilers and implementers in the country and is as per need in the current times. The salient features of the Bill are as under:

It has been drafted as per modern drafting practices to give more clarity to the provisions of the Bill. The similar provisions which are at different places in the Boilers Act,1923 have been grouped together in six chapters for easier reading and understanding of the Act. All the functions/powers of the Central Government, State Governments and Central Boilers Board have been enumerated in detail to avoid any confusion.

For Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), the Bill will benefit boiler users including those in the MSME sector as provisions related to the decriminalisation have been incorporated in the Bill. Out of the seven offences, to ensure safety of boilers and personnel dealing with boilers, in four major offences which may result in loss of life and property, criminal penalties are retained. For other offences, provision is being made for fiscal penalty. Moreover, for all non-criminal offences ‘fine’ has been converted into ‘penalty’ to be levied through executive mechanism instead of courts as existed earlier.

The proposed bill will enhance safety as specific provisions have been made in the Bill to ensure the safety of persons working inside a boiler and that repair of boiler is undertaken by qualified and competent persons.

The Government of India is examining all the pre- constitution Acts from the point of view of their suitability and relevance in the current times.

The Boilers Act, 1923 was comprehensively amended in the year 2007 by the Indian Boilers (Amendment) Act, 2007 wherein inspection and certification by independent third party inspecting authorities was introduced. However, on further examination of the existing Act, a need has been felt for review of the Act and also to incorporate the decriminalised provisions in consonance with the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023.

The existing Act has, accordingly, been reviewed wherein redundant /obsolete provisions have been omitted and certain substantive enabling provisions have been made for the rules and regulations which were not earlier provided. Certain new definitions have also been incorporated and few existing definitions have been amended so as to give more clarity to the provisions of the Bill. (details given in enclosed Annexure)

Decriminalisation of boiler offences streamlines enforcement; serious breaches remain criminal while non-criminal violations face executive penalties. The Boilers Bill, 2024 repeals the Boilers Act, 1923 and modernises regulation by consolidating provisions, enumerating governmental and board functions, and removing obsolete material. It decriminalises three of seven offences while retaining criminal penalties for four serious offences, converts 'fine' into an administrative penalty enforceable through executive mechanisms rather than courts, and adds safety requirements mandating qualified personnel for boiler repairs and protections for workers; the Bill aligns with decriminalisation policy under the Jan Vishwas Amendment.