Publication of Notification regarding amendment in the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-28072026-274887 EXTRAORDINARY PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (i) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 597] NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026/SHRAVAN 2, 1948 MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 16th July 2026 G.S.R. 659(E). - Whereas, the draft rules further to amend the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012, were published, as required under sub-section (1) of section 18 of the Explosives Act, 1884 (4 of 1884), vide notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade), vide number G.S.R 104(E), dated the 3rd February, 2026, in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), inviting objections and suggestions from all persons likely to be affected thereby before the expiry of the period of thirty days from the date on which copies of the Gazette containing the said notification were made available to the public; And whereas, copies of the said Gazette notification were made available to the public on 4th February, 2026; And whereas, the objections and suggestions received from the public in respect of the said draft rules have been considered by the Central Government; Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 5 and 7 of the Explosives Act, 1884 (4 of 1884), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012, namely: - 1. Short title and commencement - (1) These rules may be called the Ammonium Nitrate (Amendment) Rules, 2026. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. 2. In the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules), in rule 21, – (a) for sub-rule (1), the following sub-rules shall be substituted, namely: – "(1) The Ammonium Nitrate or Ammonium Nitrate melt shall be transported by the consignor or consignee holding a valid licence in Form P-4. (1A) If a transport vehicle is used by the consignor or the consignee for transport of Ammonium Nitrate, it shall be transported on the strength of the transport licence of the consignor or the consignee, as the case may be."; (b) in sub-rule (6), for the words "The consignor", the words "The consignor or the consignee, as the case may be," shall be substituted. 3. In the said rules, in rule 38, in clause (e), after the word "office-bearers", the words "or occupier" shall be inserted. [F. No. P-13012/2/2021-EXPLOSIVE] DR. KAJAL, Jt. Secy. Note: The principal rules were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i) vide number G.S.R. 553(E), dated the 11th July, 2012 and were subsequently amended as follows: – 1. G.S.R. 469(E), dated the 9th July, 2013; 2. G.S.R. 938(E), dated the 28th September, 2018; 3. G.S.R. 608(E), dated the 1st September, 2021; 4. G.S.R. 239(E), dated the 17th April, 2025; and 5. G.S.R. 377(E), dated the 9th June, 2025;