The Ministry has released draft amendments to the Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) Rules, 2016, proposing fee reductions for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), Micro & Small Startups, and Women Entrepreneurs. These draft amendments were published on January 13, 2025.
These changes aim to ease the financial burden on smaller businesses operating in industries utilizing pressure vessels.
Key Changes Proposed
- The draft rules introduce specific definitions for “Micro and Small Enterprises,” “Micro & Small Startup,” and “Women Entrepreneur” to clearly identify eligible businesses. A “Women Entrepreneur” is defined as an enterprise owned and controlled by a woman with a minimum financial interest of 26% of the capital.
- Reduced License Fees are proposed for MSEs, Micro & Small Startups, and Women Entrepreneurs across various categories, including storage of compressed gas, auto-LPG and auto-LNG dispensing stations, and transportation of compressed gas.
- Similar fee reductions are proposed for other services, including approval of manufacturing shops, design drawings, import of pressure vessels, repairs, recognition of competent personnel, vehicle mounting approvals, and license-related processes.
- To claim fee reductions, applicants must provide specific documentation:
- MSEs: Certificate issued by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
- Micro & Small Startups: Registration documents from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
- Women Entrepreneurs: Documentary evidence of ownership/directorship.
- If an enterprise qualifies as both an MSE/Startup and is owned and controlled by a woman, the lower of the applicable fees will apply.
- Providing false or misleading information will result in license or approval cancellation.
The draft rules are currently open for public comment before final publication in the Official Gazette, upon which they will come into force. Objections or suggestions if any, to these draft rules may be sent to the Director (Explosives), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Room No. 252-A, Udyog Bhavan, New Delhi – 110011 or Email: expl-dipp@nic.in
The deadline for furnishing objections or suggestions to the draft rules is February 12, 2025.
