Lift and escalator bill approved by the UP Assembly

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta and Up-Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2024, as well as the Uttar Pradesh Lift and Escalator Bill, 2024, were approved by the Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. Installation of elevators and escalators will now need registration.

A provision to shorten the eight-year term of the Lokayukta and the Up-Lokayukta to five years has been included in the second Bill.
Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma said during his speech on the elevator and escalator Bill that MLAs Dhirendra Singh and Pankaj Singh had requested that a legislation be established regarding lifts and escalators after an incident in Noida.
According to Sharma, the Bill stipulates that erecting elevators and escalators in public spaces would need registration. Additionally, provisions for insurance and reimbursement, as well as for quick notification in the event of an accident, have been developed.
Lifts and escalators cannot be erected without the Energy Department’s clearance when the Bill becomes law. Registration with the Directorate of Electrical Safety will be required for the companies who produce, install, and repair lifts and escalators.
It will need a five-year renewal. Additionally, it will need to be tested annually, and a deposit of Rs 1,500 is required.
If the owner or the relevant institution neglects to make the necessary repairs and doesn’t follow the rules, they will be fined.
Sharma referred to the Bill as urgently needed and said that although other states, such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Haryana, have legislation pertaining to the installation of elevators, Uttar Pradesh does not have any such provisions.
He said that putting it into practice will improve the system in addition to reducing accidents.
BJP member Dhirendra Singh thanked Energy Minister Sharma and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for introducing the Bill, stating that it would turn out to be a “milestone.”
Nevertheless, Dr. R K Verma, Amitabh Vajpayee, and Kamal Akhtar of the Samajwadi Party pointed out the “shortcomings” in its draft and insisted that it be sent to a Select Committee.
According to Vajpayee, it is still unclear who would provide insurance, who will pay damages, and what information on lift-related incidents has been provided so far. He said that the Bill was hurriedly drafted.
The minister of energy made it clear that all clauses will be included in the regulations.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna discussed the Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta and Up-Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2024, stating that the maximum age has been raised to 70 years and the term of the lokayukta and up-lokayukta has been shortened from eight years to five years.