Explosives Act, 1884
4. Re-Orientation of Activities
The Activities of the Department of Explosives
were initially confined mostly to inspection of few magazines existing at that
time. The following duties were assigned to the then Chief Inspector of
Explosives:-
- To carry out regular systematic inspection of
all important explosives magazines.
- To investigate and report the cause of
accidents involving explosives.
- To give expert advice in all matters connected
with the administration of Explosives Act, 1884 and Rules framed
thereunder.
- At that time, the Explosives Act,1884 was only
in force.
- The Petroleum Act (VIII of 1899) came into force
on 17.02.1899 and the Carbide of Calcium Rules was brought under this Act
by a Notification dated 11.08.1899.
- During the year 1904-05, the administration of
Indian Petroleum Act and the Rules framed thereunder came within the
authority of jurisdiction of the Chief Inspector of Explosives.
- Owing to different sets of provincial Rules
followed by different provinces, an impasse was created in effective
administration of the Indian Petroleum Act.
- With a view to iron out such impasses and bring
uniformity in the system, the Chief Inspector of Explosives started an
endeavor to contemplate and frame set of rules for all states allowing
variations essential for local conditions. Finally, the Petroleum
Act, 1934 was promulgated in super session of all earlier Acts and the
Petroleum Rules, 1937 came into force with effect from 30.03.1937
replacing the earlier provincial Rules. The consolidated Carbide of
Calcium Rules came into force with effect from 18.03.1937.
- Initially the Explosives Rules, 1918 was in
force.
- Due to increased insurgencies for independent
India, another Act, called Explosives Substance Act, 1906 was promulgated.
The objective of the Explosives Act, 1884 and the Explosives Substance
Act, 1906 were different. The objective of the Explosives Act, 1884 was to regularize the hazardous licensed premises dealing with
commercial explosives for public safety but the objective of the
Explosives Substance Act, 1906 was to penalize. The Chief
Controller of Explosives continued to administer the Explosives Act, 1884,
and the Rules framed thereunder and the culture of the Department of
Explosives remained same, that is to regularize the premises for the
interest of public.
- Subsequently in 1940, the Explosives Rules, 1940
came into force repealing the earlier Rules. After that due to increase in
production /number of explosives/manufacturing units (list enclosed ,Explosives Rules,1983
were promulgated.
- In the same year, the Gas Cylinder Rules, 1940
with about 20 provisions were framed under the Explosives Act, 1884 and
came into force covering only few gases. For LPG, there was a separate
Notification. There were no licensing for filling or storage of compressed
gases but approval for storage of compressed gas cylinders was mandatory.
- The major thrust of work load of the officers of
the Department of Explosives during early pre independence era up to about
36 years after independence, was dealing, handling, examination, rendering
harmless of home-made bombs and to submit report and tender expert opinion
and evidence on such explosives exhibits seized by police to the court of
law.
- Before independence there was only one
small petroleum Refinery at Digboi (Assam) commissioned in 1901(oldest in
the Indian sub-continent) expanded in 1902 and entirely rebuilt in 1923
and provided technical and skilled man power for post independent
refineries in Guwahati, Barauni, Gujarat, Haldia, Mathura etc. At present
there are 17 POL Refineries in India (list enclosed)
with increase in refining capacity from earliest 0.5 M.T. to about 100
million tons of crude petroleum. Due to rapid industrialization in the
country after independence, the Petroleum Rules were overhauled and
amended comprehensively in the years 1975-76 and new Rules as Petroleum
Rules, 1976 were brought into force.
- During the course of time there were several
amendments in the Explosive Act, the Petroleum Act and the Rules.
- The Inflammable substance Act came into force
during 1952.
- Prior to 1981, there was no legislation for
storage and transport of compressed gases in bulk. The new sets of Rules
known as Static and Mobile pressure vessels {Unfired} Rules, 1981 was
framed.
- The Gas Cylinder Rules, 1940,were replaced
Comprehensively by the Gas Cylinders Rules, 1981, and came into force
during 1981. The provisions for CNG dispensing station were made to come
within the purview of the Gas Cylinders Rules, 1981.
- Of late, the Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels
(Unfired) Rules, 1981, were amended vide G.S.R. 141(E)dated 14.02.2000
incorporating provisions for installation of Auto L.P.G. Dispensing
station for using LPG as Automotive Fuel.
- MISHC Rules…
- With the present global industrial
liberalization, all the Rules administered by the Department of Explosives
are being reviewed with change in outlook and the matter is under active
consideration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
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