Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) released ‘Draft Explosives Bill (2024)’, for public Consultation

Posted 03 May 2024

2 min read

The Bill will replace the colonial era ‘Explosives Act, 1884’ which was aimed to regulate the manufacture, possession, use, sale, transport, import and export of explosives.
- Rash Behari Bose who was a key member of the Ghadar Party was charged under under this Act.

Key highlights
- Defines explosive: Explosive means gunpowder, nitroglycerine, nitroglycol, guncotton, or any other substance (solid/ liquid/ gaseous) used or manufactured to produce a practical effect by explosion or pyrotechnic effect.
- Licensing authority: It means Chief Controller of Explosives or such other authority as may be prescribed.
  - Central Government shall prescribe the authority competent to grant, suspend or revoke a licence.
  - Currently, the PESO (refer to the box) is responsible for such things.
- Punishment for contravention: Manufacturing, import or export in contravention of the Act will attract imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of Rs 1,00,000, or both.
- Power of Central Government: It can make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act.

Genesis: Formerly known as the Department of Explosives, PESO was established in 1898.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Mandate:
- The nodal agency for regulating safety of hazardous substances such as explosives, compressed gas and petroleum.
- Its major work is to administer the responsibilities delegated under the Explosives Act 1884 and Petroleum Act 1934 and the Rules made thereunder

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