State Government to regulate sale of acid

Kohima, March 7 (DIPR): The Supreme Court had earlier on July 18, 2013 passed certain directions regarding the sale of acid/corrosive substances. The Government of Nagaland is yet to notify the appropriate Poison Rules under the Poisons Act, 1919.

As per the directions of the Supreme Court, it is brought to the notice of the public, which includes individuals, educational and research institutions, hospitals, industries, government departments and departments of public sector undertakings or sellers of acids and corrosive substances, their sale would be regulated until the new Poison Rules are promulgated.

Under the directives the following acids and corrosive substances are included: Acetic acid (beyond 25 concentration by weight), Acetic Anhydride, Sulphuric acid (H2S04) (beyond 5 concentration by weight), Hydrochloric acid (HCI) (beyond 5 concentration by weight), Phosphoric acid (H3P04), Hydrofluoric acid (HF), Perchloric acid (HC104), Formic Acid (beyond 10 concentration by weight), Hydrocyanic acid except substances containing less than 0.1 per cent weight in weight of Hydrocyanic acid, Nitric acid, except substances containing less than 5 per cent weight in weight of Nitric Acid, Oxalic Acid, Perchloride of mercury (corrosive sublimate), Hydrogen Peroxide (beyond 50 concentration by weight), Formaldehyde (beyond 25 concentration by weight), Phenol (beyond 3 concentration by weight), Potassium Hydroxide except substances containing less than 2 per cent weight in weight of Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide except substances containing less than 2 per cent weight in weight of sodium Hydroxide.

The Court had issued directions to be followed, such as:
1.    Over the counter, sale of acid is completely prohibited unless the seller maintains a log/register recording the sale of acid which will contain the details of the person(s) to whom acid(s) is/are sold and the quantity sold, The log/register shall contain the address of the person to whom it is sold, no acid shall be sold to any person who is below 16 years of age.
2.    All sellers shall sell acid only after the buyer has shown: A photo ID issued by the Government which also has the address of the person and specifies the reason/purpose for procuring acid.
3.    All stocks of acid must be declared by the seller with concerned are Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)/DCs/SPs/SDOs within 15 days of this notice.
4.    In case if any undeclared stock of acid is detected, the concerned SDM will confiscate the stock and suitably impose fine on such seller up to Rs. 50,000/-
5.    The concerned SDM may impose fine up Jo Rs. 50,000/- on any person who commits breach of any of the above directions.

It is further directed that the educational institutions, research laboratories, hospitals, Government Departments and the departments of Public Sector Undertakings, who are required to keep and store acid, shall follow certain guidelines. It is directed that a register of usage of acid shall be maintained and the same shall be filed with the concerned SDM/DCs/SPs/SDOs and a person shall be made accountable for possession and safe keeping of acid in their premises. The acid shall be stored under the supervision of this person and there shall be compulsory checking of the students/personnel leaving the laboratories/place of storage where acid is used.

The concerned SDM/DCs/SPs/SDOs shall be vested with the responsibility of taking appropriate action for the breach/default/violation of the above directions. All the buyers and sellers of acids and corrosive substances are requested to follow the directions scrupulously.

 



Support The Morung Express.
Your Contributions Matter
Click Here