Centre asks states to introduce self-certification for boilers

The Centre has asked all states to introduce a self certification scheme for boiler inspection in factories on the lines of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh as that will help reduce transaction costs and boost manufacturing.
In a letter to state chief ministers, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh other states should also implement the self-certification scheme for inspection and certification of boilers and its components.
"Under Industrial Policy, 2003, Gujarat has introduced a self-certification-cum-consolidated annual return scheme which seeks to minimise unnecessary harassment to industrial establishments while ensuring a more effective system for compliance with labour laws," the letter said.

The scheme will ease inspection of boilers, cut down transaction costs of manufacturing units and save cost over-runs occurring due to long closure of plants for inspection, it said.
"The government of India is keen to radically improve ease of doing business. Towards this end, it is our view that self-certification and third-party certification needs to be introduced in boiler," it added.
Improving ease of doing business and boosting manufacturing sector's growth are top agendas of the new government, the letter said.

According to the World Bank, India has slipped three positions to 134th spot in the latest 'ease of doing business' list, which is topped by Singapore.

Manufacturing, which constitutes over 75 per cent of the index, declined 1.2 per cent in March this year against growth of 4.3 per cent in the year-ago period.
During the April-March period of 2013-14, the sector's output contracted 0.8 per cent as compared with 1.3 per cent growth previously.