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The Centre today told the Supreme Court that in view of growing incidents of acid attacks, it has framed rules, under an existing law, to regulate retail sale of acid and other poisonous substances.
The bench of justices R M Lodha and S J Mukhopadhya took note of the Poisons Possession and Sale Rules, 2013 that has been been framed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in consultation with the Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizer as per the statutory power accorded under the Poison Act 1919.
The court, however, said the number of incidents of such attacks have increased and the situation required urgent steps to curb it.
"Discuss the matter among themselves (Centre and states) and come up with a draft report day after tomorrow," it said, adding the rules that have been framed would be sent to states for their approval and issuance of notifications and this process may take time.
