J&K Complies With SC Order on Acid Sale, Tightens Rules

SRINAGAR: In the backdrop of the recent acid attack on a girl student, Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday tightened rules for the sale of acid.

The state, presently under Governors rule, ordered all the District Magistrates to ensure bonafide use of sale of acid.

An official order read that all the sellers shall sell acid only after the buyer shows a photo ID issued by the government, which also has the address of the person and buyer specifies the reason /purpose for procuring Acid.

"All stocks of acid must be declared by the seller with the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) within 15 days. No acid shall be sold to any person who is below 18 years of age, in case of undeclared stock of acid, the concerned SDM can confiscate the stock and suitably impose fine on such seller up to Rs. 50, 000.The concerned SDM may impose fine up to Rs. 50, 000 on any person who commits breach of any of the directions," the order read.

It is pertinent to mention here that as per the directions of the Supreme Court, the counter sale of the Acid is completely prohibited unless the seller maintains a log/register regarding the sale of acid which will contain the details of the person to whom acid is sold and the quantity sold. The log/register shall contain the address of the persons to whom it is sold.

Furthermore, the educational institutions, research laboratories, hospitals, government departments and the departments of Public Sector Undertakings, which are required to keep or store acid, have been asked to comply with the guidelines and thus, a register of usage of acid shall be maintained and the same shall be filed with the concerned SDM.

"A person shall be made accountable for possession and safekeeping of acid in their premises, the acid shall be stored under his supervision and there shall be compulsory checking of the students / personnel leaving the laboratories / place of storage where acid is use and the concerned SDM shall be vested with the responsibility of taking appropriate action for the violation of the above directions," it said.

The Home Department has directed the concerned officers to take action as warranted under law for the violations of the Jammu and Kashmir the Poison (Possession and Sale) Rules, 2014.