JS Passes Bill to Check Boiler-Related Accidents

The 'Boiler Bill-2022' has been passed in the parliament to repeal the law on boilers of industrial factories enacted during the colonial period. The new law has increased the punishment for various crimes.

Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun proposed to pass the bill in the Jatiya Sangsad on Sunday (April 3) and it was passed by voice vote. Earlier, Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury sent the public opinion on the bill to the Verification and Selection Committee and disposed of the amendment proposals.

The bill states that the new law is being enacted to reduce the risk of boiler accidents in industrial plants. The law provides for two years imprisonment, a fine of two lakh taka, or both for removing, modifying, distorting, or invisible registration numbers from the boiler body or using another boiler.

The bill provides for a maximum of two years' imprisonment or a fine of Tk 200,000 or both for operating a boiler without a certificate. The existing law provides for a fine of Tk 10,000 for this crime.

If anyone manufactures or imports boilers outside the rules, a provision has been made for two years imprisonment and a fine of Tk 200,000. If you use the boiler outside the rules or if you allow someone to use it, a maximum of two years imprisonment and a fine of two lakh taka has been provided.

The bill states that the boiler user, operator, or responsible person will be responsible for the accident. Compensation for the accident will be recovered from the person responsible. However, he will not be held responsible if he can prove that someone has taken reasonable steps to prevent the accident.

There will be Chief Boiler Inspector and Boiler Inspector to ensure the implementation of the law. There will be a boiler board under the overall supervision, with a chairman and seven members. The term of the members will be three years.

The bill states that in order to repair the boiler, the chief boiler inspector must be informed in writing. Provision has been made for the imprisonment of one year or one lakh taka or both for repairing without informing.

The Chief Inspector will be able to pay a fine of one lakh taka for the hearing and double the fine for the second time.

The bill was tabled in Parliament on November 14 last year. The bill was later examined and sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Industries for reporting to Parliament.