Public Liability Insurance Act 1991

Applies to

Any owner handling a hazardous substance above the notified quantity. Compulsory public-liability insurance plus a matching contribution to the Environment Relief Fund, providing immediate no-fault relief to people harmed by accidents.

Key points

• Compulsory public-liability insurance before handling a hazardous substance above the notified quantity (Section 4).
• No-fault liability — the claimant need not prove negligence (Section 3).
• Mandatory Environment Relief Fund contribution alongside the premium (Section 4A).
• District Collector handles verification, claims and relief awards (Sections 5–7).

Applicability triggers

• Handling a hazardous substance above the notified quantity

Practitioner questions

• Does my hazardous-substance inventory trigger compulsory PLI cover and the Environment Relief Fund contribution?

Sources

• Public Liability Insurance Act 1991 (India Code)
• Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change