(a) whether the Government is aware of the threat perception arising out of easy availability and increasing illegal use of industrial explosives particularly by naxalites in the country;
(b) if so, whether there is a need to tighten the control on the storage and movement of explosive materials, particularly those used in mines; and
(c) if so, the measures taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)
(a): Yes, Madam. Some instances of illegal use of industrial explosives by Left Wing Extremist (LWE) groups have been reported.
(b) & (c): There are provisions under the Explosives Act, 1884, the Explosives Rules, 2008 and the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012 to check pilferage, smuggling and looting of explosives. These Acts strictly deal with the regulations of the storage, manufacture, possession, use, sale and transportation of explosives basically used for the industrial purpose. The Explosives Substance Act, 1908 prescribes punitive provisions for illegal transactions of Explosives. As a precautionary measure, Government from time to time sensitizes States/UTs for safe transaction/transportation of explosives. Petroleum Explosives & Safety Organization (PESO) has introduced online transaction of explosives which enables State authorities to view movement of explosives carried by vehicles. Moreover, National Institute of Smart Government (NISG) under guidance of Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) is developing software for effective tracking of explosives from production units to the end users particularly those explosives which are used in mines.