The Public Liability Insurance (Amendment) Rules, 2024 introduce several changes to the Public Liability Insurance Rules, 1991:

1. Key terms like “Adjudicating Officer,” “Form,” and “Schedule” are defined.
2. Claims for relief or property restoration must be filed with the Collector using Form I, with provisions for individuals with an interest in public property to apply.
3. Environmental Relief Fund: Central and State Pollution Control Boards can apply for fund allocation for environmental restoration, with a limit of 10% of the fund. They must submit annual reports on the fund’s usage.
4. Industrial units must inform affected individuals about their right to claim relief.
5. Complaint Process: Complaints can be filed by authorized officers or any individual. The adjudicating officer has 30 days to issue a notice and must complete the inquiry within six months.
6. Insurance Policy Limit: The insurance policy limit is set at ₹250 crore per accident, with a total cap of ₹500 crore for multiple accidents.
7. Penalties: Penalties for violations will go to the Environmental Relief Fund.
8. Forms for claims and complaints are updated in the rules by inserting a Schedule.

These amendments aim to streamline the process for environmental damage claims, strengthen industrial accountability, and improve the handling of penalties and fund usage.