Chennai: Rising acid attacks that have resulted in stricter norms for sale of the corrosive liquid have actually singed acid dealers more. Bearing the cross for such wayward criminal acts, it is the traders who are now facing the music with tougher norms for the sale and procurement of acid following the new guidelines issued by the SuprÂeme Court last year.
“Despite the SC's guidelines, the older laws continue to be used in the state. There is no clarity on what we have to follow,” lamented V. Gurumurthy, president of the Tamil Nadu Acids and Chemical Traders Association, at a meeting held in ChenÂnai on Friday.
Incessant questioning by investigative agencies on storage and procurement of acids is leading customers to look out for other chemical options, traders said.
The present guidelines in the law that are being followed by acid and chemical traders were formulated in 1921 and amended in 1954, said V. Suresh, vice-president of the CoimÂbaÂtore Chemical DeaÂlÂÂers AssoÂciation.
“Since then, the acid industry has grown by leaps and bouÂnds, and yet, the same law prevails. Though the requiÂrÂements of all dealers, manufacturers and small time businesses vary vastly, there is no distinction on norms,” he added.
However, justifying the checks, Joint CommiÂssioÂner of Police K.ShanÂmuÂgavel, who was present at the meeting, said, “Acid has gained notoriety in the recent past and we are responsible for the safety of every individual.”
Though there was not much concern about acid sales about 20 years ago, today, the stricter enforcement of rules is meant to safeguard citizens' interest, he said. “There are possibilities of pilferage of acid even at stages of procurement and storage and we are trying to plug all the gaps possible,” he added.
