DEPARTMENT OF EXPLOSIVES
The Department of Explosives with its headquarter at Nagpur is the nodal agency to look after safety requirements of the Explosives and Petroleum Sectors.
Administration and Statutory
Responsibilities
Department of Explosives is headed by Chief Controller of Explosives. It has five circle
Offices at Kolkata, Agra, Faridabad, Mumbai and Chennai and 18 Sub-circle offices at
various places in the country. The Department also has a Testing Station at Gondkhery,
Nagpur. With the overall objective of ensuring safety and security of public and property
from fire and explosive, the Department as a statutory authority is entrusted with the
administration of Explosives Act, 1884, Petroleum Act, 1934, Inflammable
substances Act, 1952 and the following rules framed there under:-
Explosives Act, 1884
Petroleum Act, 1934
Major activities and functions
To approve layout and construction plans/licensing for explosives manufacturing units and other installations with-in the purview of rules administered by it.
To control and monitor the sale and transaction of explosives through out the country.
To advise Port, Airport and Railway authorities in respect of transportation of explosives and other dangerous substances.
To impart training to police personnel, security and other officers in detection and safe handling of explosives.
The Department also acts as an advisory body not only to the Industry but also to the government land Government bodies like Ports, Railways,Surface Transport, Environment and Pollution control Board and Defence Establishments. The Chief Controller of Explosives is a Member in various Inter-Departmental Committees and Central Crisis Group constituted by Ministry of Environment and Forest.
Revenue and Expenditure
Department of Explosives has always been a revenue surplus Department. The trend growth in Revenue and Expenditure of the Department for the last five years are as below:
(Rs. In Crore)
| Year | Revenue | Expenditure (Non-Plan) |
| 1997-98 | 8.65 | 5.11 |
| 1998-99 | 9.55 | 6.17 |
| 1999-00 | 10.25 | 7.16 |
| 2000-01 | 11.40 | 7.94 |
| 2001-02 | 10.59 | 8.68 |
| 2002-03 (upto Dec.,02) | 15.58 | 9.47 |
Modernisation and Computerization
Following steps have been initiated to make the functioning of Department more efficient, transparent and user friendly.
Under the Ninth Plan an amount of Rs.5 crore have been spent for computerization and Networking of the department. An amount of Rs.10 crore has been earmarked in the Tenth Plan for computerization and Modernisation of the department including the Testing Station.
The department is also undertaking projects related to development of environment friendly fireworks, development of substitutes of NG explosives besides overall modernization and equipment of Department’s testing station at Gondkhairi.
Computerisation (17 application modules) and Networking in the Head office (Nagpur) have been completed and all the records of Head office have been digitized/ The relevant information related to licences/approvals issued from Head office has been made available on the web site of the Department.
Computerisation and Networking of circle and sub circle offices is in progress and is expected to be completed by March,2003. Connectivity in all the circle offices and some of the sub circle offices has been obtained and development of application modules is under process.
A comprehensive exercise for review of all the rules under the Explosives Act, 1884 is also underway. An Expert Group has been constituted for review and re-engineering of Gas Cylinder rules. Draft revised explosives rules are in final stage.
Recommendations of NPCregarding re-engineering of Procedures are being implemented in the department. Time limits for various licences/approvals would be specified and trigger mechanisms would be set up in case of delay in processing.
A detailed Work manual for the use of applicants and licences has been prepared and has been launched on department’s web site. The manual would also be published and be made available to public.