Himachal Pradesh government has issued directions to all Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) in the state regarding regulation of sale and storage of acid in the light of recent Supreme Court orders.
"The sale of acid over the counter would be completely prohibited unless the sellers maintain a Log/Register keeping a record of sales.
"The register would have details, including the address of the persons to whom acid was sold along with its quantity.
"Acid would be sold only after the buyers have shown a photo ID issued by the government with the 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", an official spokesman said.
He said that the stock of acid must be declared by the seller to the concerned SDM within 15 days.
In case of uncleared stock, it would be open to the SDM concerned to confiscate the same and suitably impose a fine not exceeding Rs 50,000 on the defaulter seller.
The spokesman said that educational institutions, research laboratories, hospitals, government departments and public sector undertakings, who were required to keep and store acid, would have to maintain a register for the usage of acid to be filed with the SDM concerned.
A specific person would be made accountable for possession and safe-keeping of acid at the above institutions and there would be compulsory checking of students and other persons leaving the laboratories/place of storage where acid is used, he added.
