PNS|Ongole
Superintendent of Police Malika Garg has instructed the acid sellers to follow the guidelines strictly when selling acid.
The SP on Thursday held a meeting with the acid dealers, vendors, retail sellers and college laboratory representatives on selling, buying and using of acid and rules and regulations.
Speaking on the occasion, she ordered them to strictly follow the guidelines and regulations while selling acid. She warned of stringent action if acid is sold violating the guidelines. “Possessing acid and selling it illegally is a grave crime and they will be booked,” the SP warned.
The SP said that as part of the preventive measures to curb serious crimes like throwing deadly acid on women and girls, the acid dealers, suppliers and sellers must follow the guidelines, AP Poison Act- 1958, Positions and Sale Rules-2016 as the dangerous acids used in factories, hospitals, laboratories, gold shops and other places could lead to serious crimes, if the acid falls in the hands of criminals.
The SP suggested that acid should be purchased, collected, transported, stored and used in accordance with the provisions of 2016 sales rules. The SP explained about the laws and regulations related to chemicals like acid and corrosives and about the punishments and fines if they are violated.
SP Malika Garg warned that if acid is supplied, transported and sold in violation of government regulations, legal action would be taken.
The SP said that the Acid Dealers, Suppliers, Sellers and Consumers in the District corrosives and other chemicals must obtain license from the District Collector to sell the chemicals and use them.
Maintenance of records related to purchase and sale of acid should be proper. Before selling acid the sellers should verify the photo ID like Aadhaar of buyers and enter the address, and also enter the reason for buying, she told them.
Reports containing details of acid stocks and sales must be submitted to the Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SOM) for every 15 days. Under no circumstances should acids and corrosives be sold to minors under the age of 18 years, the SP warned.
Safety standards must be followed in the stock areas where acid is stored. Educational institutions, research laboratories, hospitals, government departments should regularly record the details of acid storage and consumption in the register, SP Malika Garg said. Additional SP (Admin) K Nageswara Rao, DSPs Narayanaswamy Reddy, B Maria Das and other officials were present.
