Those wanting to buy sulphuric and hydrochloric acids may soon have to produce identity cards before they can buy these hazardous acids. They will also have to explain their reason behind the purchase.

The Centre is expected to issue a notification soon, setting tougher rules and regulations for selling, sorting and transporting hazardous acids, according to a source in the ministry of home affairs. Retailers, on the other hand, will have to maintain a record of inventory and persons to whom they sold the acid to. Retailers will be given a license by district magistrates or by Sub divisional magistrates (SDMs) to sell acid.

The Supreme Court had earlier directed the Centre to devise a robust mechanism to prevent acid attacks on women while listening the case of (acid attack victim) Laxmi versus Union of India. The court has also sought an increase in the compensation package for acid attack victims to Rs 3 lakh. The court had reprimanded both the Centre and the states as respondents for not doing enough and has asked them to show progress on steps taken to curb the menace by July 9. On an average, more than 500 cases of acid attacks are reported every year across India; victims are mostly women. Just last week, Delhi resident Preeti Rathi passed away two weeks after an attacker hurled acid on her face in Mumbai.

On February 6, the Court had issued directions to the Centre and state governments to implement measures for proper treatment, after-care and rehabilitation of acid attack victims; payment of appropriate compensation to the victims and enactment of effective regulation for retail or over the counter sale of acids.

The Centre and state governments mulled at regulating the acid industry and put a permissible limit on the strength of the acids, but gave up on the idea because the acid industry is de-licenced and spread across big cities and small towns and varies from large scale to small scale, sources said. Besides, they could not find a way out to prevent the use of acid from lead acid batteries. This is a cause for concern as in several cases offenders have used sulphuric acid derived from lead batteries.

“However, we will try to regulate acids of higher concentration,” a source in the law ministry said on condition of anonymity. “Exemptions will be made for laboratories, commercial establishments and industry. Safe transaction of acid is also being looked at by ensuring that it is sold in sealed, tamper-proof containers.”

The court’s tough stance has seen the Centre change the Criminal Amendment Act to ensure better treatment for acid attack victims. Punishment for offenders too has been increased to a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.