Goa: Factories department set for more powers to issue closure orders

PANAJI: The state government has decided to amend the Goa Factories Rules, 1985, to enable the chief inspector or an inspector of the factories and boilers department to issue a closure order against manufacturing units that are not registered as a factory.
The department has issued the draft amendment and has kept a period of 45 days for stakeholders to submit objections or suggestions regarding the draft amendment. They have to submit their feedback through Goa online portal under the policy feedback section.
The department is amending Rule 18A of the Goa Factories Rules. The rule gives the chief inspector power to issue directions in writing to shut down a factory or prohibit certain plant operations if there is a risk to human safety or environment pollution.
“In rule 18A of the Goa Factories Rules, 1985, in the second proviso, for the expression, “imminent danger to human life or safety” the expression “imminent danger to human life or safety or where any premises is being used as a factory without obtaining a licence under rule 7 from the chief inspector” shall be substituted,” said chief inspector of factories and boilers Vivek Marathe.