In the light of Supreme Court’s directive to curb acid attacks, the State Government has tightened the rules regarding sale of acids, and introduced a jail term and heavy fine as penalty.
Those selling acids without a valid licence, or not maintaining a proper record of sale, will face a jail term of three months and fine of `50,000, as per the new rules, it said. Further, the buyer will have to provide a photo-identity proof to the seller. The decision to introduce new rules was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary R Parshuram. Additional Chief Secretary (Home) IS Dani and Additional Director General of Police Rajeev Tandon and others also attended. Sub Divisional Magistrates will monitor the sale of acids in their respective areas, and ensure that records of sale are maintained.
The attack victim will be given a compensation of `3 lakh: `1 lakh within a fortnight of the incident and the balance `2 lakh in the next two months, as specified by the SC in its ruling last month. Earlier, in a ruling the apex Court had also directed the states and the union territories to frame rules to regulate sale of acids within three months, and make acid attack a non-bailable offence.