Lok Sabha Question No. 5355 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Acid Attacks
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Gopal Chinayya Shetty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5355

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 05 TH  APRIL, 2022/ CHAITRA 15, 1944 (SAKA)

## ACID ATTACKS

5355.      SHRI GOPAL CHINNAYA SHETTY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken any steps for the rehabilitation of acid attack victims in the country;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  there  is  a  need  to  make  the  rules  regarding  sale  of  acid  more stringent to stop acid attacks in the country; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken/taken by the Government for prevention of acid attacks in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISHRA)

(a) & (b) 'Police'  and  'Public  Order'  are  State  subjects  under  the  Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The responsibilities to maintain law and order, protection of life and property of the citizens including investigation and prosecution of crime against citizens rest with the respective State Governments.  The  State  Governments  are  competent  to  deal  with  such offences under the extant provisions of laws.

However, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a comprehensive Advisory on 20 th April 2015 on taking steps to implement    the    provisions    of     Indian     Penal     Code  (IPC),     expediting

## LS.US.Q.NO.5355 FOR 05.04.2022

cases of Acid Attack, and to provide treatment and compensation to victims. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also issued an advisory dated  20th  May,  2015  stating  that  no  acid  attack  victim  will  be  denied treatment by any hospital, public or private.

Further,  The  Government  of  India  is  implementing  'One  Stop  Centre (OSC)' and ''Universalisation of Women Helpline (WHL)' schemes. OSC aims to facilitate women  affected by violence with a range of integrated  services  under  one  roof  such  as  police  facilitation,  medical  aid, providing legal aid and legal counselling, psycho-social counselling, temporary shelter etc. ''Universalisation of Women Helpline' scheme through the short code 181 provides 24 hours emergency and non-emergency response to women affected by violence, both in public and private spaces by linking them with appropriate authorities such as Police, One Stop Centre, Hospital, Legal Services etc. WHL also supports women in distress with rescue van and counselling services in addition to providing information about women welfare schemes and programs across the country. Further, the Ministry of Women and Child Development is also administering Swadhar Greh Scheme for relief and rehabilitation of women in difficult circumstances, including the victims of acid attack.

## LS.US.Q.NO. 5355 FOR 05.04.2022

In addition, under the Prime Minister's Relief Fund Rs. One lakh as compensation is also being provided by the Prime Minister Office to the acid attack victim.

(c) & (d): Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  (MHA)  has  circulated  the  Model  Poisons Rules vide an advisory dated 30-08-2013 to all States/UTs for notifying the same to regulate the sale of acid in respective State/UT.

Further,  MHA  has  also  issued  another  Advisory  dated  12-08-2021  to  all States/ UTs to review and ensure that retail sale of acids and chemicals are strictly  regulated  in  terms  of  the  Poison  Rules  so  that  these  are  not  used  in crime. These advisories are available on www.mha.gov.in.