New Delhi:
In a bid to curb acid attacks on women throughout the country, the Supreme Court is expected to pass orders on regulating the sale of acid today.
The government, after being slammed by the Supreme Court for not acting on regulating the sale of acid in the country, had on Tuesday told the top court that it is considering rules that allow people above 18 years of age to buy acid.
The Centre had also told the Supreme Court that such buyers have to produce a photo identity card verifying their address and phone number. The government had said it was considering a licence system for the retailers selling such chemicals.
The Centre had assured the top court that it has formulated model rules to be adopted by the states since the Centre cannot pass laws on its own on the issue.
During a hearing in April, the Centre had assured the Supreme Court that it will work with the state governments to formulate a plan before the next hearing on July 9. However, it failed to do so, which angered the court.
The Supreme Court had then warned that it will intervene and pass orders if the government failed to frame a policy to curb the sale of acid in order to prevent chemical attacks. "Seriousness is not seen on the part of government in handling the issue," the bench headed by Justice RM Lodha had said.
In February this year, the court had directed the Centre to convene within six weeks a meeting of Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories to hold discussion for enacting a law to regulate the sale of acids and a policy for treatment, compensation and care and rehabilitation of acid attack victims.