State Government has issued direction to Sub Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) of the State regarding regulation of sale and storage of acid by the sellers keeping in view the orders of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition No. 129/2006 titled Laxmi Vs Union of India and others.
A Spokesman of State Government aid that the sale of acid over the counter would be completely prohibited unless the sellers maintain a Log/Register for keeping the record of sale of acid. The register would have details of person (s) including the address of the persons to whom acid was sold besides its quantity. The sellers would sell the acid only after the buyers have shown a photo ID issued by the Government which has address of the person. The buyer would have to specify the reasons/purpose for procuring the acid and no acid would be sold to any person who is below 18 years of age.
He said that stock of acid must be declared by the seller with the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate within 15 days and in case of uncleared stock of acid, it would be open to the concerned SDM to confiscate the stock and suitably impose fine on such seller upto Rs. 50,000. The concerned SDM may impose fine upto Rs. 50,000 on any person who commits breach the directions.
He said that the Educational Institutions, Research Laboratories, Hospitals, Government Departments and Public Sector Undertakings, who were required to keep and store acid, would maintain a register of usage of acid and the same would be filed with the concerned SDM. A person would be made accountable for possession and safe keeping of acid in their premises besides the acid would be stored under the supervision of this person and there would be compulsory checking of students and other persons leaving the laboratories/place of storage where acid is used.
