UP govt frames guidelines to regulate acid sale

To regulate sale and use of acid in Uttar Pradesh, the state government has framed guidelines for business establishments, educational institutions and hospitals, a senior government official said here today.
"Under the new guidelines, no shopkeeper will sell acid to a person below 18 years of age," Principal Secretary (Home) R M Srivastava said.
The sellers would be required to maintain a register in which quantity sold, objective of buying, name of the buyer and his complete address would be registered, he said.
In case of non-compliance, the SDM would seize the entire stock and could impose a penalty of Rs 50,000 on the seller, the Principal Secretary (Home) said.

Within a fortnight, acid sellers should inform the SDM concerned about their stock, address of the shop and its registration number.
Educational institutions, laboratories, hospitals and government departments, for whom stocking acid and its use was necessary, too should maintain a register, Srivastava said.

They would be required to maintain total quantity of stock, how much quantity was used and for which purpose. The register should be submitted to the SDM concerned, he said.
Srivastava said every institution would be required to make an employee accountable for custody and safe storage of acid and they should ensure proper checking of students or employees, who have used acid, before leaving the place.

The Principal Secretary said the directives had been issued to all departmental heads, police and district-level officers.